Methodology for the Human Sciences: Systems of InquiryState University of New York Press, 1984 M06 30 - 364 pages Methodology for the Human Sciences addresses the growing need for a comprehensive textbook that surveys the emerging body of literature on human science research and clearly describes procedures and methods for carrying out new research strategies. It provides an overview of developing methods, describes their commonalities and variations, and contains practical information on how to implement strategies in the field. In it, Donald Polkinghorne calls for a renewal of debate over which methods are appropriate for the study of human beings, proposing that the results of the extensive changes in the philosophy of science since 1960 call for a reexamination of the original issues of this debate. The book traces the history of the deliberations from Mill and Dilthey to Hempel and logical positivism, examines recently developed systems of inquiry and their importance for the human sciences, and relates these systems to the practical problems of doing research on topics related to human experience. It discusses historical realism, systems and structures, phenomenology and hermeneutics, action theory, and the implications recent systems have for a revised human science methodology. |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 87
Page ix
... scientific study of human and social phenomena began after the scientific study of the natural world had been successful . In order for the human sciences to be successful , too , it was proposed that they should emulate the methods ...
... scientific study of human and social phenomena began after the scientific study of the natural world had been successful . In order for the human sciences to be successful , too , it was proposed that they should emulate the methods ...
Page 1
... scientific work , this book is concerned with its effect on the understanding of scientific study of the human realm . The positivist conception of science has its roots in a definition of knowledge which holds that only those things of ...
... scientific work , this book is concerned with its effect on the understanding of scientific study of the human realm . The positivist conception of science has its roots in a definition of knowledge which holds that only those things of ...
Page 15
... scientific enterprise . The context in which the debate is carried on has changed since it began . The debate , I believe , should be refocused , so that emphasis is placed on these recent developments . By this means , methodology can ...
... scientific enterprise . The context in which the debate is carried on has changed since it began . The debate , I believe , should be refocused , so that emphasis is placed on these recent developments . By this means , methodology can ...
Page 17
... scientific study of human beings should be undertaken . Through such scientific approaches , a new order of society could be developed that would alleviate the suffering and chaos caused by social systems built upon the speculative ...
... scientific study of human beings should be undertaken . Through such scientific approaches , a new order of society could be developed that would alleviate the suffering and chaos caused by social systems built upon the speculative ...
Page 19
... Scientific explanation is limited to only func- tional and directional laws ( Comte ) or to only mathematically func- tional laws ( Mach ) . There is a strong reformist flavor to the positivist movement ; its members preached a gospel ...
... Scientific explanation is limited to only func- tional and directional laws ( Comte ) or to only mathematically func- tional laws ( Mach ) . There is a strong reformist flavor to the positivist movement ; its members preached a gospel ...
Contents
The Received View of Science | 59 |
Theoretical Networks | 71 |
The Human Sciences and the Deductive System of Inquiry | 87 |
Pragmatic Science | 93 |
Sciences as Expressions of Various | 103 |
Systems and Structures | 135 |
Human Action | 169 |
Linguistic Accounts | 192 |
ExistentialPhenomenological and Hermeneutic Systems | 201 |
Human Science Research | 241 |
Use of Linguistic Data | 258 |
Concluding Remarks | 279 |
Notes | 291 |
Bibliography | 325 |
Index | 343 |
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Common terms and phrases
activity analysis apodictic approach argument basic behavior believed causal cause certainty concept consciousness context cultural deductive system described developed Dilthey Dilthey's discourse empirical empiricism example experience explanation expressions function Hempel hermeneutic historical human action human phenomena human realm human science Humanistic Psychology hypothesis Ibid individual inductive inference instance interaction interpretation investigation Jürgen Habermas kind knowledge claims language game laws linguistic logical positivism logical positivists meaning mental events method methodology notion objects observation organizing particular patterns Paul Ricoeur Peirce perception person phenomenological Philosophy of Science physical sciences position positivists postpositivist problem proposed psychology question rational reality received view refer relationship Ricoeur scientific scientists sensation sense data social science statements Stephen Toulmin structures systems of inquiry teleological theory trans truth understanding University Press valid various Vienna circle whole Wilhelm Dilthey Wittgenstein words York