Laws And Explanation In The Social Sciences

Abstract

Cover -- Half Title -- Title -- Dedication -- Copyright -- Contents -- Preface -- 1 The Nomological Ideal -- Notes -- 2 Fundamental Objections to Social Scientific Laws -- The Argument from Complexity -- The Argument from Openness -- Conclusion -- Notes -- 3 Practical Objections to Social Scientific Laws -- The Argument from Complexity -- The Argument from Openness -- Conclusion -- Notes -- 4 The Role of Laws in Scientific Understanding: The Case of Evolutionary Biology -- The Status of Laws in Evolutionary Biology -- Lessons for the Social Sciences -- Notes -- 5 A Question of Relevance -- The Argument from Irrelevance -- Physicalism: Relevance Reconsidered -- Conclusion -- Notes -- 6 Metaphysical Interlude -- Naturalism Without Reductionism -- Supervenience -- Notes -- 7 Prospects and Limitations of a Nomological Social Science -- Notes -- Bibliography -- About the Book and Author -- Index