Rules, Magic and Instrumental Reason
A Critical Interpretation of Peter Winch's Philosophy of the Social Sciences
1st Edition
Published on 16. December 2013
192 pages
978-1-136-40485-6 (ISBN)
Description
This book offers a systematic and critical discussion of Peter Winch's writings on the philosophy of the social sciences. The author points to Winch's tendency to over-emphasize the importance of language and communication, and his insufficient attention to the role of practical, technological activites in human life and society.
It also offers an appendix devoted to the controversy between the anthropologists Marshall Sahlins and Gananath Obeyesekere regarding Captain James Cook's Hawaiian adventures.
Essential reading for those studying the development of philosophy in the twentieth century, this book will also be of great interest to anthropologists, sociologists, scholars of religion, and all those with an interest in the relationship between philosophy and the social sciences.
It also offers an appendix devoted to the controversy between the anthropologists Marshall Sahlins and Gananath Obeyesekere regarding Captain James Cook's Hawaiian adventures.
Essential reading for those studying the development of philosophy in the twentieth century, this book will also be of great interest to anthropologists, sociologists, scholars of religion, and all those with an interest in the relationship between philosophy and the social sciences.
Reviews / Votes
'Lerner has produced a valuable guide to Winch's Wittgensteinian approach to the study of religion. Clearly written and argued, it is in fact the best book on the subject.' - Kevin Schilbrack, Wesleyan College'Lerner's overall account of Winch is insightfully critical.' - Philosophy in Review, Volume 24, Number 3, June 2004
'All in all, Lerner's book offers useful criticisms of Winch's ideas and is the most methodic and comprehensive treatment available of Winch's philosophy of the social sciences.' - Philosophy of the Social Sciences, Vol. 35, No. 2
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
File size
4,97 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-136-40485-6 (9781136404856)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Berel Dov Lerner
Rules, Magic and Instrumental Reason
A Critical Interpretation of Peter Winch's Philosophy of the Social Sciences
Book
05/2015
1st Edition
Routledge
€79.10
Shipment within 15-20 days
Berel Dov Lerner
Rules, Magic and Instrumental Reason
A Critical Interpretation of Peter Winch's Philosophy of the Social Sciences
Book
08/2001
1st Edition
Routledge
€206.00
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
Berel Dov Lerner is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Western Galilee College, Israel.
Content
Introduction1. Social Science and Winch's Idea of Philosophy2. Winch on Rule-Following3. Rules and Meaningful Behaviour4. Explanation and Interpretation5. Winch on the Use of Technical Concepts in the Social Sciences: The Interpretive Autonomy of Meaningful Behaviour6. Winch and Interpretive Charity7. Evans-Pritchard's Study of Zande Mysticism8. Winch's Interpretation of Magic and Religion9. Winch and Instrumental Pluralism10. Winch and the Ethnographic Record11. Evidence and Interpretation12. Instrumental Action in Winch's Philosophy of the Social Sciences
