Criteria of Social Scientific Knowledge
Interpretation, Prediction, Praxis
Published on 17. October 1994
Book
Hardback
208 pages
978-0-8476-7883-9 (ISBN)
Description
Social scientists often do not agree on what is a solid contribution to knowledge and what is only the illusory appearance of knowledge. In this work, Terrence E. Cook systematically compares and contrasts the main epistemological families within the social sciences (interpretive, predictive, and praxeological) examining strengths and weaknesses of each outlook. In exceptionally clear language he shows how paradigms of thought are constructed, and reveals the often unreflected presuppositions of each epistemological family. He concludes with a move toward synthesis and a turn to the study of strategy.
Reviews / Votes
This is an analytical yet creative account of the basic imensions of social scientific knowledge. It will both inform those who are being initiated into the subject and stimulate those who have already confronted the issues. -- John G. Gunnell, Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, University at Albany-SUNY Well-organized and coherent. The comparisons among interpretive, predictive, and praxical projects stand to be very useful for social scientists. No extant book . . . succeeds so well in talking through telling implications of these approaches in our practices of social inquiry. -- John S. Nelson, University of Iowa Very valuable . . . * Book Notes *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Lanham, MD
United States
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 155 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
395 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-8476-7883-9 (9780847678839)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Terrence E. Cook, professor of political science at Washington State University, is the author of The Great Alternatives of Social Thought (Rowman & Littlefield, 1991).
Content
Chapter 1 Interpretation, Prediction, Praxis: Three Approaches to Social Scientific Knowledge Chapter 2 Interpretation as the Criterion of Knowing Chapter 3 Prediction as the Criterion of Knowing Chapter 4 Praxis as the Criterion of Knowing Chapter 5 Concluding Without Closure Chapter 6 Bibliography Chapter 7 Index