Talking about structures: the ‘transcendental’ argument

Francesco Guala

Table of Contents

Abstract

A distinctive feature of the Critical Realist approach is its reliance on the so-called ‘transcendental argument’ for the existence of social structures. Focusing on Tony Lawson’s version of the argument, this paper aims at showing that it is unsatisfactory and concludes that Critical Realists should dispense with it.

Key Words

Causality, social structures, ontology

Classification JEL:  B410