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Abstract
In this article I argue that the intentional explanation of actions is a central task of the social sciences. However, the attribution of intentional states is highly underdetermined by observational data. Such attributions are forms of inference to the best explanation, and they have to cohere with our background knowledge of the conditions under which the agent acts. In addition to this 'outer coherence' we have to ask for an 'inner coherence' within the intentional profile of the agent to gain a meaningful understanding. Both forms of coherence can help to reduce underdetermination.

Der Band versammelt eine Reihe von Beiträgen, die vom 30. Juni bis 2. Juli 2011 im Rahmen des 2. sächsisch-bretonischen Hochschulsymposiums »Global Challenges for Sustainable Development« in Chemnitz präsentiert worden sind. Er bezieht den Obertitel der »globalen Herausforderungen« auf den europäischen Raum – sowohl auf der Ebene der Europäischen Union, als auch im bilateralen und regionalen Kontext. Die Beiträge lassen sich drei Themenkreisen zuordnen, die von den an der sächsisch-bretonischen Hochschulkooperation beteiligten Institutionen – dem Universitätsverbund Université européenne de Bretagne und den sächsischen Universitäten in Chemnitz, Dresden, Leipzig und Freiberg – im Bereich der Human- und Sozialwissenschaften schwerpunktmäßig bearbeitet werden: Recht und Verwaltung, Wirtschaft und Energie, Forschung und Bildung. -- Ce volume rassemble une série de contributions, qui ont été présentées dans le cadre du 2ème colloque universitaire saxo-breton «Global Challenges for Sustainable Development» du 30 juin au 2 juillet 2011 à Chemnitz. Il applique le titre «Défis globaux» à l'espace européen – tant sur le plan de l'Union européenne, qu'aussi dans le contexte bilatéral et régional. Les contributions peuvent être classées dans trois domaines, qui sont traités par les institutions membre de la coopération saxo-bretonne – l'Université Européenne de Bretagne et les universités saxonnes à Chemnitz, Dresde, Leipzig et Freiberg. Il s'agit des matières des sciences humaines et sociales: Droit et Administration, Economie et Energie, Recherche et Formation

Abstract
The article argues for a synthesis between analytical philosophy and social sciences as relevant and necessary. The motivation and framework of such a synthesis is outlined on the basis of a critical social science. The authors illuminate such a perspective negatively in a critique of empirical and theoretical sociology, then positively in a clarification of the critical standpoint. Four theses, two under each-aspect, are defended:
1. Concerning empirical social sciences
Neither the quantitative nor the qualitative paradigm of empirical social science is able to put forward adequate methods for social research. Instead, the development of reconstructive methods is proposed to combine the advantages and eliminate the disadvantages of the quantitative and qualitative paradigms.
2. Concerning theoretical sociology
Macrosociological theories tend to resist empirical corrobation. Pure theoretical and philosophical justification abounds instead. In this situation the tools of analytic theory of science are proposed in order to clarify the necessary steps towards a further development of theories, which can be empirically tested.
3. Concerning the critique of society
A critical social science must incorporate a theory of a just society in order to analyse social institutions in a normative way. In this context an ethical realist approach is offered which tries to fulfill two conditions for sociologically relevant normative reasonings: satisfaction of individual interests and the rational consensus of all persons concerned.
4. Concerning critique of ideology
The tools of analytic philosophy can be given new application by combining them with an analysis of interests under the title of critique of ideology.

Austro-Marxism is the collective name for a group of Austrian Marxists, who successfully endeavoured to test traditional Marxist theory, even though it was incomplete and ambiguous in some respects, in an array of new fields in both Austria and beyond. They achieved this feat by constantly analysing developments in philosophy and the social sciences, economics, legal theory and psychology. The group's leading figures — Max Adler, Otto Bauer, Karl Renner, Rudolf Hilferding and Gustav Eckstein — all made highly significant and innovative contribu-tions to the theory of the state and, by extension, political theory which can greatly shape the current debate on the crisis, or rather the future, faced by capitalist democracies and welfare states. These authors stand out because they sought to dismantle the traditional dichotomies of 'reform' and 'revolution' and 'evolution' and 'revolution'.With contributions byAndreas Fisahn, Armin Puller, Eveline List, Folke große Deters, Gerhard Botz, Günther Sandner, Kolja Möller, Lutz Musner, Richard Saage, Ridvan Ciftci, Thilo Scholle, Uli Schöler.