The Idea of a Social Science and Its Relation to Philosophy

By Peter Winch

Book Overview

In the fiftieth anniversary of this book's first release, Winch's argument remains as crucial as ever. Originally published in 1958, The Idea of a Social Science and Its Relation to Philosophy was a landmark exploration of the social sciences, written at a time when that field was still young and had not yet joined the Humanities and the Natural Sciences as the third great domain of the Academy.

A passionate defender of the importance of philosophy to a full understanding of 'society' against those who would deem it an irrelevant 'ivory towers' pursuit, Winch draws from the works of such thinkers as Ludwig Wittgenstein, J.S. Mill and Max Weber to make his case. In so doing he addresses the possibility and practice of a comprehensive 'science of society'.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B00APYH8H4
• ISBN13: 9780415423588
• Release Date: September 2007
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 168 Pages
• Weight: 0.88 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.0" x 7.7"

Customer Reviews

Persuasive and amusing

I must declare a bias; as a scientist and an analytic philosopher by training, and now a teacher in those two areas by profession, I have always been skeptical about the "social sciences." I have no doubt that they perform a necessary role and can provide great insights into human situations; but using the word 'science' raises certain misplaced expectations. Winch's monograph argues precisely this position with style and verve, holding that social concerns are properly related more to philosophy than the Natural Sciences. (Of course they may use scientific methods, but that is a different matter.) There are many historical examples, and a thoughtful introduction slightly modifying some of the polemical excesses. A thoroughly entertaining afternoon's reading!