Karl Popper and the Social Sciences

by William A. Gorton

Overview

This is the first book-length exploration of Karl Popper's often-neglected contributions to the philosophy of social science. William A. Gorton situates Popper's ideas on social inquiry within the broader framework of his thought, including his philosophy of natural science, his ontological theories, and his political thought. Gorton places special attention on Popper's theory of situational analysis and how it aims to heighten our understanding of the social world by untangling the complex web of human interaction that produces unintended—and often unwanted—social phenomena. Situational analysis, Gorton contends, involves a significant departure from the method of the natural sciences, despite Popper's plea for the unity of scientific method. Gorton also addresses some common misconceptions concerning Popper's stance toward economics and Marxism, making the provocative claim that contemporary analytical Marxism provides the best current example of Popperian social science put into practice.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780791482216
Publisher:	State University of New York Press
Publication date:	02/01/2012
Series:	SUNY series in the Philosophy of the Social Sciences
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	157
File size:	245 KB

About the Author

William A. Gorton is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Alma College, Michigan.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
Introduction

1. Popperian Situational Analysis

Building Models
Against Psychologism and Conspiracy Theories
Methodological Collectivism
Summary

2. Metaphysics, Realism, and Situational Analysis

The Vienna Circle’s Positivism
Verificationism, Empiricism, and Metaphysics
Popper’s Metaphysical and Scientific Realism
Realism, World 3, and Social Inquiry
Summary

3. Social Laws, the Unity of Scientific Method, and Situational Analysis

Causation, Covering Laws, and Realism
The Unity of Scientific Method
Falsification and Situational Analysis
Summary

4. Situational Analysis and Economic Theory

Rationality and Economic Theory
Situational Analysis and Economic Theory
Explaining Voter Turnout: Rational Choice versus Situational Analysis
Untangling Complex Patterns of Interaction
Summary

5. Popper’s Debt to Marx

Popper’s Critique of Marx
Popper’s Debt to Marx
Popper and the Analytical Marxists
Summary

6. The Shortcomings of Situational Analysis

The Limited Range of Situational Analysis
Irrationality and Situational Analysis
Elster’s Model of Revolutions
Summary

Conclusion
Notes
References
Index