Download or read book Concept Formation in Social Science (Routledge Revivals) written by William Outhwaite and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2010-10-22 with total page 480 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: First published in 1983, this book examines the problems of concept formation in the social sciences, and in particular sociology, from the standpoint of a realistic philosophy of science. Beginning with a discussion of positivistic, hermeneutic, rationalist and realistic philosophies of science, Dr Outhwaite argues that realism is best able to furnish rational criteria for the choice and specification of social scientific concepts. A realistic philosophy of science therefore acts as his reference point for the dialectical presentation of alternative accounts.