Exploring humans: Philosophy of science for the social sciences - A historical introduction

Science is the most powerful generator of knowledge. No one
seems to doubt that scientists steadily reveal the secrets of the
world and human behaviour. But what exactly is the scientific
method? Does science really off er insight into the nature of
the world and the interactions of humans?

Exploring Humans examines how philosophers have struggled
with these questions. The book highlights their influence on
thinking about social sciences such as economics, psychology
and sociology. By presenting cases and reassessing the
traditions of pragmatism and naturalism, it explores and
defends the idea that science does indeed off er the most
accurate account of humans and the world.

In this revised edition, the reader not only finds numerous
updates, further clarifications, and additional topics, but
also four philosophy of science cases in the domain of law,
and a new final chapter which explicitly defends the claim
that, across the board, science is the only reliable source of
information for ‘exploring humans’.