1st Edition
How Do Institutions Steer Events? An Inquiry into the Limits and Possibilities of Rational Thought and Action
By John Wettersten
Copyright 2006
316 Pages
by
Routledge
316 Pages
by
Routledge
316 Pages
by
Routledge
Also available as eBook on:
Theories of explanation in the social sciences vacillate between holism and individualism. Wettersten contends that this has been a consequence of theories of rationality which assume that rationality requires coherent theories to be shown to be true. Rejecting these traditional assumptions about rationality Wettersten claims that the traditional explanations of rationality have placed unrealistic... Read more
Contents: Preface; Introduction. Part 1 Philosophical Background: Weber and Popper: The limits of Weber's methodological individualism; Popper posed and solved new problems, but more was possible. Part 2 Why the Social Sciences Need an Alternative Theory of Rationality: Problems with individualist social theory; How can individualism account for institutions?; Limits of rationality call for a new ideal; Albert's critique of neoclassical economics fails to show a way forward; Problems with the rationality principle; Social anthropology remains too holistic; Traditional theories of rationality harm political theory and ethics. Part 3 Fabillist Institutionalism: Rationality is problem-solving, critical and social; How are institutions and individuals related?; How to study institutions; Institutions which hinder rationality; How can social reform be critical?; Institutions and ethics. Conclusion: Spinoza's project and social science today; Appendices; Bibliography; Index.
Biography
John Wettersten is the Adjunct Professor for the Philosophy of Science at the University of Mannheim, Germany.
'A glance at the literature in the social sciences will show that quite generally the role of institutions in decision making processes is central. Despite the proliferation of the literature on detailed cases there are hardly any studies of it in general. in the philosophy of the social sciences this is where the action is. Wettersten's book is an important contribution to this study and its impact might very well extend to well beyond philosophy.' Joseph Agassi, Emeritus Professor, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv and York University, Toronto
