Social mechanisms and causal inference

Article Abstract:

There is a serious challenge to the possibility of making reliable inferences about the causes of social phenomena, and it is claimed that the consideration of social mechanisms can significantly ameliorate this problem. A proposal is discussed on the possibility of acquiring knowledge of social mechanisms by linking together norms or practices found in a society.

United States, Evaluation, Society, Social sciences, Social philosophy

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Methodological individualism, explanation, and invariance

Article Abstract:

The motivations and interactions of individual persons that lie behind social phenomena are what constitute methodological individualism but the literature in this field makes little note of philosophical accounts of explanation. This lacuna is addressed from the perspective of Woodward's theory of causal generalizations.

Analysis, Individualism, Individuality, Mechanism (Philosophy), Rational choice theory

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With or without mechanisms: a reply to Weber

Article Abstract:

The author attempts to clarify the points raised by Erik Weber on his essay 'Social Mechanism and Casual Inference'.

Criticism and interpretation, Critical essay, Social Mechanism and Casual Inference (Essay), Weber, Eric

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