1. FWeinert, Bradford University (UK)1 Friedel Weinert: Philosophy of the Social Sciences Year II: Semester II SS-2000M Introduction Lecture I

2. FWeinert, Bradford University (UK)2 * Note: You can download these lectures at http://www.staff.brad.ac.uk/fweinert Changes in World Views

3. FWeinert, Bradford University (UK)3 Natural Sciences: Changes in World Views Changes in World Views  Natural Sciences  1543 - 1687: Transition from Aristotelian organismic universe to Newtonian mechanistic universe  Copernicus: Heliocentrism (1543 ) Loss of Centrality

4. FWeinert, Bradford University (UK)4 Natural Sciences: Changes in World Views  Newton’s Laws of Motion (1687): mechanistic universe  clockwork image  Temporalisation of the World  invention of mechanical clock; deep time; evolution  Darwinian Revolution (1859):  Evolution = Random Mutation + Natural Selection Loss of Design

5. FWeinert, Bradford University (UK)5 Evolution of Society oWeber’s Rationalisation Thesis oGlobalisation of the World oEmergence of Social Sciences (~1850s) Social Sciences: Changes in World Views ‘Social Physics’ Classical Physics ‘Human Studies’ History Social Sciences  Freudian Revolution Loss of Transparency

6. FWeinert, Bradford University (UK)6 Central Questions – How can the social world be understood? –Apart from description of social relations, can there be explanation, even causal explanation in the social sciences? –Should the social sciences criticise society? The Unavoidability of Philosophical Questions –Humanism/Naturalism –Holism/Individualism –Relativism –Fact/Value Question Central Questions

7. FWeinert, Bradford University (UK)7 Ideas and Social Action oDo ideas have an impact on the way we act? oSocial action is most directly caused by material and non-material interests channel oIdeas channel social action oThey push social action in certain directions oExample: The Rationalisation Process Ideas and Social Action