Realism in Action Essays in the Philosophy of the Social Sciences [Paperback]

This is a selection of essays written by leading representatives in the fields of action theory and philosophy of mind, philosophy of the social sciences and especially the nature of social action, and of epistemology and philosophy of science. Practical reason, reasons and causes in action theory, intending and trying, and folk-psychological explanation are some of the topics discussed by these leading participants.

Realism in Action is a selection of essays written by leading representatives in the fields of action theory and philosophy of mind, philosophy of the social sciences and especially the nature of social action, and of epistemology and philosophy of science. Practical reason, reasons and causes in action theory, intending and trying, and folk-psychological explanation are some of the topics discussed by these leading participants. A particular emphasis is laid on trust, commitments and social institutions, on the possibility of grounding social notions in individual social attitudes, on the nature of social groups, institutions and collective intentionality, and on common belief and common knowledge. Applications to the social sciences include, e.g., a look at the Erkl?ren-Verstehen controversy in economics, and at constructivist and realist views on archeological reconstructions of the past.Foreword. 1: Realism, Truth, And Explanation. What Philosophers Should Know about Truth and the Slingshot; F. Stoutland. From Erkl?ren-Verstehen to Prediction-Understanding: The Methodological Framework in Economics; W.J. Gonzalez. The Archaeological Construction of the Past: Some Realist Moderations; U. M?ki. The Backward Induction Paradox and Epistemic Logic; G. Sandu. 2: Philosophy Of Mind And Action Theory. The Scope of Motivation and the Basis of Practical Reason; R. Audi. Activity and Passivity; M. Brand. Reasons and Causes: The Case of Collingwood; R. Martin. Intending and Trying: Tul®