The Causal Power of Social Structures

Emergence, Structure and Agency

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Sociology, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy
Cover of the book The Causal Power of Social Structures by Dave Elder-Vass, Cambridge University Press
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Author: Dave Elder-Vass ISBN: 9780511852251
Publisher: Cambridge University Press Publication: June 17, 2010
Imprint: Cambridge University Press Language: English
Author: Dave Elder-Vass
ISBN: 9780511852251
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Publication: June 17, 2010
Imprint: Cambridge University Press
Language: English

The problem of structure and agency has been the subject of intense debate in the social sciences for over 100 years. This book offers a solution. Using a critical realist version of the theory of emergence, Dave Elder-Vass argues that, instead of ascribing causal significance to an abstract notion of social structure or a monolithic concept of society, we must recognise that it is specific groups of people that have social structural power. Some of these groups are entities with emergent causal powers, distinct from those of human individuals. Yet these powers also depend on the contributions of human individuals, and this book examines the mechanisms through which interactions between human individuals generate the causal powers of some types of social structures. The Causal Power of Social Structures makes particularly important contributions to the theory of human agency and to our understanding of normative institutions.

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The problem of structure and agency has been the subject of intense debate in the social sciences for over 100 years. This book offers a solution. Using a critical realist version of the theory of emergence, Dave Elder-Vass argues that, instead of ascribing causal significance to an abstract notion of social structure or a monolithic concept of society, we must recognise that it is specific groups of people that have social structural power. Some of these groups are entities with emergent causal powers, distinct from those of human individuals. Yet these powers also depend on the contributions of human individuals, and this book examines the mechanisms through which interactions between human individuals generate the causal powers of some types of social structures. The Causal Power of Social Structures makes particularly important contributions to the theory of human agency and to our understanding of normative institutions.

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