Journal article
The metaphysical issues in the social sciences and how social scientists debate them
SYNTHESE, v 200(6), 501
28 Nov 2022
Abstract
Most philosophical work on social ontology continues to be done without much connection to social scientific concerns. This special issue, however, calls for attention to a naturalized metaphysics, one based on the best science we have. It follows that a naturalized social metaphysics should begin with the best social science available. In contrast with the physical sciences, however, the best social science is not so clear. Thus, this paper acquaints professional philosophers with some of the prominent metaphysical views extant in the social sciences; the ways that more philosophically oriented social scientists engage them; and how professional philosophers might contribute. In particular, the paper covers several arguments especially relevant to a naturalized social metaphysics. One argument suggests that folk intuitions cannot be excluded from consideration. In fact, in the social sphere, it may be that scientific concepts not only cannot always trump folk conceptions but actually must be constrained by them. The paper further introduces arguments defending not only metaphysically real levels of being but also the metaphysical reality of the categories of social science. Finally, the paper will introduce an argument that beyond culture and individual agency, social being also includes structure as a distinct category.
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Details
- Title
- The metaphysical issues in the social sciences and how social scientists debate them
- Publication Details
- SYNTHESE, v 200(6), 501
- Publisher
- SPRINGER; DORDRECHT
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Drexel University
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000889513400001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85142821926
- Other Identifier
- 991021861290004721
InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Web of Science research areas
- History & Philosophy Of Science
- Philosophy