Conceptions of Social Inquiry

What is critical theory, hermeneutics, deconstruction, positivism, phenomenology? Is it true that "anything goes" in the social sciences? This book provides answers to these questions. Each conception of social inquiry is framed within the context of an ongoing debate on its merits and limits. Conceptions of Social Inquiry is an indispensible compass for students, researchers and lecturers who want to find their bearings in the debate on the social sciences and want to contribute to this debate. This title is also available in Afrikaans, Wetenskapbeelde in die Geesteswetenskappe.

1. Positivism
Johann Mouton

2. Karl Poppers critical rationalism
Murray Faure

3. Thomas S. Kuhn
Johann Mouton

4. Peter Winch: The idea of a social science and its relation to philosophy
J.C Pauw

5. Phenomenological theory of human science
Fidela Fouche

6. Hermeneutic positions on scientific rationality
Pieter van Veuren

7. Social science according to the Frankfurt School
Johan Snyman

8. Habermas theory of science
Norma Romm

9. Althussers epistemology argument
Norma Romm

10. Scientific realism and realism in the social sciences
Johann Mouton

11. Deconstruction
Bert Oliver

Appendix

Professor Johan Snyman is Head of Department of Philosophy at the Rand Afrikaans University in Johannesburg.