Nancy Cartwright

Eleonora Montuschi

This is a much-needed new introduction to a field that has been transformed in recent years by exciting new subjects, ideas, and methods. It is designed both for students with central interests in philosophy and those planning to concentrate on the social sciences, and it presupposes no particular background in either domain. From the wide range of topics at the forefront of debate in philosophy of social science, the editors have chosen those which are representative of the most important and interesting contemporary work. A team of distinguished experts explore key aspects of the field such as social ontology (what are the things that social science studies?), objectivity, formal methods, measurement, and causal inference. Also included are chapters focused on notable subjects of social science research, such as well-being and climate change. Philosophy of Social Science provides a clear, accessible, and up-to-date guide to this fascinating field.

A New Introduction

Philosophy of Social Science

Jeremy Hardie

Ann C. (PhD candidate Thresher, PhD candidate University of California San Diego)

Jeremy (Research Associate Hardie, Research Associate CPNSS London School of Economics)

Eleonora (Associate Professor Montuschi, Associate Professor University Ca' Foscari Venice)

Matthew Soleiman

Matthew (PhD candidate Soleiman, PhD candidate University of California San Diego)

Ann C. Thresher

Science is remarkably reliable. It puts people on the moon, performs laser eye surgery, tells us about ancient civilizations and species, and predicts the future of our climate. What underwrites this reliability? This book argues that the standard answers--the scientific method, rigour, and objectivity--are insufficient for the job. Here we propose a new model of science which places its products front and centre. In The Tangle of Science we show how any reliable piece of science is underpinned by a vast, diverse, and thick network of other scientific products. In doing so we bring back into focus areas of science that have been long neglected, emphasizing how every product, from the screws that hold the space shuttle together, to ways of measuring the consumer price index, to Einstein's theory of general relativity, work together to support results we can trust.

Reliability Beyond Method, Rigour, and Objectivity

The Tangle of Science

Eleonora Montuschi

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