The Content of Social Explanation

This is a study of the central questions of explanation in the social sciences, and a defence of 'holism' against 'individualism'.

Susan James (Author)

9780521103527, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 11 December 2008

204 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.6 cm, 0.46 kg

This is a study of the central questions of explanation in the social sciences, and a defence of 'holism' against 'individualism'. In the first half of the book Susan James sets out very clearly the philosophical background to this controversy. She locates its source not at the analytical level at which most of the debate is usually conducted but at a more fundamental, moral level, in different conceptions of the human individual. In the second half of the book she examines critically three case studies of holistic approaches - Althusser, Poulantzas and the Annales historians - and progressively refines our sense of the strengths and deficiencies of their programmes. She ends by arguing for a form of concessive holism, which offers some accommodation to liberal conceptions of individual autonomy but continues to emphasise the explanatory importance of social regularities and environments.

Part I. Theory: two views of holism: 1. The legacy of analytical philosophy
2. Holism and reduction
3. Holism and causal explanation
Part II. Practice: holism in social explanation: 4. Absolute holism and its framework: Althusser
5. The framework applied: Poulantzas
6. Concessive holism and interests: the Annales school
Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Social & political philosophy [HPS]