Evolution of Epistemology in Humanities and Social Sciences
Modern empirical sciences originated from philosophical ideas of figures like Descartes and Galilei.
The objective model of science was challenged by Hume's skepticism regarding causality.
Kant provided a naturalistic epistemology, linking empirical knowledge with scientific inquiry.
Naturalism vs. Hermeneutics in Scientific Knowledge
Naturalism emphasizes causal explanations in social phenomena.
Hermeneutics, developed through 19th-century philosophy, prioritizes understanding over explanation.
The emergence of the hermeneutic circle emphasizes historical and intersubjective conditions of knowledge.
Impact on Sociology’s Methodological Divisions
The article discusses the two main branches of sociology: quantitative and qualitative.
Quantitative sociology aligns with naturalistic approaches while qualitative sociology reflects hermeneutic methodologies.
Understanding both perspectives is essential for a comprehensive sociological inquiry.
Key Historical Figures in the Debate
J. S. Mill insisted on the complexity of social systems and proposed laws governing social phenomena.
Dilthey's philosophy of life emphasizes the importance of subjective understanding in human experiences.
Windelband and Rickert introduced differences in methods to separate nomothetic and idiographic sciences.
Install Browsy