Explanation and Understanding in the Human Sciences

by Gurpreet Mahajan

Social scientists explain events by identifying reasons and causes. Occasionally they weave a series of occurrences into a historical narrative. What is entailed in each kind of explanation? What are the philosophical assumptions that inform them? Which form of explanation is adequate for
the human sciences? Does the hermeneutic method offer a viable alternative to the causal and narrative forms? Is hermeneutic understanding significantly different from an explanation in terms of reasons? This book addresses these questions and provides a lucid treatment of issues concerning the
various forms of explanation.

136 pages, Hardcover

First published October 15, 1992

Reviews

[Vipul Vivek M-D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucidly written, it is balanced in its assessment of causal/scientific and interpretive methodologies in social sciences. The epilogue on postmodernism is a brilliantly summarised history for beginners as well as a measured appraisal.