Summary
Contents
“This is a splendid book, providing a readable and reliable guide to a very large range of topics and literature... the author brings together, as few of us can, the details of research methodology and practice with broader philosophical perspectives and approaches.” - William Outhwaite, Emeritus Professor, Newcastle University “We need researchers who are philosophically informed rather than philosophically obsessed or philosophically oppressed. With this book Malcolm Williams strikes the exact balance.” - Ray Pawson, Emeritus Professor, University of Leeds This book is an ideal introduction for any student or social researcher hoping to better understand the philosophical issues that inform social research. Williams is the perfect guide providing short focused introductions to key concepts alongside a persuasive and engaging overview of how we interpret and conduct research. The book covers everything from core research methods, to ethical concerns and an exploration of the metaphysics of social life, with each entry providing: • Clear definitions • Engaging real world examples • Up-do-date suggestions for further reading • Informative cross-referencing • Lists of key thinkers. Relevant and authoritative, this book is an indispensable introduction to the philosophy of social research.
Postmodernism
Postmodernism
Postmodernism is a movement in the arts, humanities and social sciences that rejects the certainty of scientific, or objective, efforts to explain reality and instead focuses on the relative truths or experiences of individuals or groups.
The origins of postmodernism in literature, and the arts are described and its subsequent influence upon the social sciences is then considered. It is shown as a rejection of modernism and a critique of science. Its key characteristics: denial of truth, individualism, deconstruction and rejection of ‘meta narratives’ are considered and its challenge to social science is evaluated.
‘Postmodernism haunts social science today’ was the phrase with which Pauline Marie Rosenau began her influential book on postmodernism and the social sciences in 1991 (Rosenau 1991). To some ...