PHIL 225 - Philosophy of Social Science

FC ARHU

4 credits
We will explore a range of philosophical questions that arise in connection with the social sciences in particular. For example: What do the social sciences have in common with the natural sciences methodologically, and how do they differ? Are there sorts of explanation and understanding that are distinctive of the social sciences? Does interpretation play a special role? Can social phenomena ultimately be explained by appeal to facts about individuals, at least in principle? Or by appeal to evolutionary theory? Do the social sciences face special obstacles to objectivity? What role do values play? And what role can or should the social sciences play in public policy?

Prerequisites: One course in PHIL.