Causal vs. Conceptual Heterogeneity: Reply to Turner

In: Philosophy of the social sciences: an international journal = Philosophie des sciences sociales, Band 53, Heft 5, S. 439-446

Abstract

Professor Turner's reply to my article focuses on the ways in which set-theoretic analysis can be used to help solve problems of causal heterogeneity in social science research. By contrast, I discuss the ways in which set-theoretic analysis can be used to help solve problems of conceptual heterogeneity. I identify conceptual heterogeneity as a ubiquitous problem that is disguised by psychological essentialism. The seriousness of this problem must be recognized for scholars to appreciate the advantages of constructivist set-theoretic analysis for the social sciences.