Cultural evolution, reductionism in the social sciences, and explanatory pluralism

Article Abstract:

Culture can be interpreted from an evolutionary perspective without a commitment to ontological reduction. Topics discussed include culture from an evolutionary point of view, the supervenience of cultural evolution, supervenience and bottom-up causation, the ontology of the dual-inheritance model, evolution of cognitive styles, evolution of height in humans, cultural evolution in relation to explanatory pluralism, and explanatory pluralism versus ontological reductionism.

Social aspects, Analysis, Pluralism, Social evolution, Supervenience (Philosophy)

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Is Coase a realist?

Article Abstract:

The theories of Noble prize winning economist Ronald Coase are analyzed. It is argued that Coase's theories call for more realism in economics. He cites the existence of an objective order in society wherein positive transaction costs play a key role in the economy's constitution, social order has legal character and firmness is universal. It is also shown that Coase supports realism as a philosophical theory of scientific theories.

Criticism and interpretation, Economists, Coase, Ronald H.

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Explanatory unification: double and doubtful

Article Abstract:

Explanatory unification in the natural and social sciences is discussed, with a focus on the distinction between derivational and ontological unification. Topics include explanatory unification as an ideal of science, derivational unification, ontological unification, and a worry about whether unification is a virtue.

Science, Explanation

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