1st Edition
Rules, Magic and Instrumental Reason A Critical Interpretation of Peter Winch's Philosophy of the Social Sciences
By Berel Dov Lerner
Copyright 2002
192 Pages
by
Routledge
192 Pages
by
Routledge
192 Pages
by
Routledge
Also available as eBook on:
This book offers a systematic and critical discussion of Peter Winch's writings on the philosophy of the social sciences. The author points to Winch's tendency to over-emphasize the importance of language and communication, and his insufficient attention to the role of practical, technological activites in human life and society. It also offers an appendix devoted to the controversy between the... Read more
Introduction 1. Social Science and Winch's Idea of Philosophy 2. Winch on Rule-Following 3. Rules and Meaningful Behaviour 4. Explanation and Interpretation 5. Winch on the Use of Technical Concepts in the Social Sciences: The Interpretive Autonomy of Meaningful Behaviour 6. Winch and Interpretive Charity 7. Evans-Pritchard's Study of Zande Mysticism 8. Winch's Interpretation of Magic and Religion 9. Winch and Instrumental Pluralism 10. Winch and the Ethnographic Record 11. Evidence and Interpretation 12. Instrumental Action in Winch's Philosophy of the Social Sciences
Biography
Berel Dov Lerner is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Western Galilee College, Israel.
'Lerner has produced a valuable guide to Winch's Wittgensteinian approach to the study of religion. Clearly written and argued, it is in fact the best book on the subject.' - Kevin Schilbrack, Wesleyan College
'Lerner's overall account of Winch is insightfully critical.' - Philosophy in Review, Volume 24, Number 3, June 2004
'All in all, Lerner's book offers useful criticisms of Winch's ideas and is the most methodic and comprehensive treatment available of Winch's philosophy of the social sciences.' - Philosophy of the Social Sciences, Vol. 35, No. 2
