Abstract This paper argues that four analytical levels may be found in the social sciences, including economics –namely, a) a statistical descriptive level, b) a causal explanatory level, c) a teleological explicative level, and d) a prescriptive teleological level. Typically, social sciences only consider levels a) and b). The exclusion of level c) may lead to … Continue reading The Four Analytic Levels of Social Sciences
Tag: causality
Talking about structures: the ‘transcendental’ argument
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 … Continue reading Talking about structures: the ‘transcendental’ argument