What Holism Can Do for Social Theory
Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Epistemology, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Sociology
| Author: | Barbara Hanson | ISBN: | 9781317801221 |
| Publisher: | Taylor and Francis | Publication: | June 27, 2014 |
| Imprint: | Routledge | Language: | English |
| Author: | Barbara Hanson |
| ISBN: | 9781317801221 |
| Publisher: | Taylor and Francis |
| Publication: | June 27, 2014 |
| Imprint: | Routledge |
| Language: | English |
This book reconsiders the nature of positivist philosophy in social science theory based on classical and medieval thought in what later became "Europe." It argues that social theory is being held back by antagonistic debates over science, positivism, objectivity, and universal law - debates which appear unnecessary, narrow, and acontextual when their origins are examined. Positing that solutions to these impasses can be found by moving to alternative holistic epistemology, and looking at issues in terms of interrelations rather than parts, the book shows the promise of a social theory that provides a unit of analysis that mediates between local and global relations.
This book reconsiders the nature of positivist philosophy in social science theory based on classical and medieval thought in what later became "Europe." It argues that social theory is being held back by antagonistic debates over science, positivism, objectivity, and universal law - debates which appear unnecessary, narrow, and acontextual when their origins are examined. Positing that solutions to these impasses can be found by moving to alternative holistic epistemology, and looking at issues in terms of interrelations rather than parts, the book shows the promise of a social theory that provides a unit of analysis that mediates between local and global relations.
