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LECTURE NOTES: Module A1 LECTURE NOTES: Module A1 Module A1: Logical Positivism and Verstehen Interpretivism 1. What is Logical Positivism? Positivism is an epistemological position that advocates the application of the methods of the natural sciences to the study of social reality and beyond. It views the social sciences as an organised method for combining deductive logic with precise empirical observations of individual behaviour in order to discover and confirm a set of probabilistic causal laws that can be used to predict general patterns of human activity (Neuman, 2000). Positivism: the idea of explanation. We explain relationships between facts. Laws of nature. Causes. Social facts (Durkheim). = necessity internal to society, external to individuals, i.e. social structures, constraints “Social phenomena are things and should be studies as things” (Durkeim, 1938) -principle of deductivism Only phenomena and hence knowledge confirmed by the senses can genuinely be warranted as knowledge. The principle of inductivism; values & objective Varieties of positivism go by the names of logical empiricism, naturalism, and behaviouralism Positivism and methods During much of last century "positivism" has dominated discussions of scientific method. The term was popularized by Comte, and generally refers to a strict empiricism which recognizes as valid only knowledge claims based on experience Logical Positivism During the 1920s positivism emerged as a full-fledged philosophy of science in the form of logical positivism. Developed by the Vienna Circle, a group of scientists and philosophers, logical positivism accepted as its central doctrine Wittgenstein's verification theory of meaning (Brown, 1977; Passmore, 1967). The verification theory holds that statements or propositions are meaningful only if they can be empirically verified. This criterion was adopted in an attempt to differentiate scientific (meaningful) statements from purely metaphysical (meaningless) statements (Anderson, 1983). According to logical positivists, universal scientific propositions are true according to whether they have been verified by empirical tests -- yet no finite number of empirical tests can ever guarantee the truth of universal statements. Readings from last year on Logical Positivism. I have a chapter from a book in my office if you are interested. 2. What is 'verstehen' (or 'interpretive' and its links to understanding) Verstehen Verstehen pronounced (fair-STAY-en) is the German verb meaning to understand was used by Max Weber to describe a process in which outside observers of a culture (such as anthropologists) relate to an indigenous people on the observer's own terms. Although Verstehen means understanding it is not just any kind of understanding, rather it is concerned with the understanding from the perspective of the people being studied. It also implies the route through which understanding has been achieved – a deep, rigorous argument and counterargument. Verstehen (German): to understand 1. To perceive and comprehend the nature and significance of, to know. 2. 2. To know thoroughly by close contact with or by long experience of the phenomenon. 3. 3. To grasp or comprehend the meaning intended or expressed by another. 4. 4. To know and be empathetic toward. Weber used the term to refer to the social scientist's attempt to understand both the intention and the context of human action: UNDERSTANDING (Verstehen). Meaningful actions are susceptible ‘to a meaningful interpretation’ (Weber). • Ontology: reality of meaning(ful inter/actions). • Epistemology: method of knowing it = understanding (the meaning). ‘Our criteria for causal explanation require that whenever “interpretation” is possible in principle, it should be undertaken. I.e., in the interpretation of human “action”, we are not satisfied by merely establishing a relation between the action and a purely empirical generalization, regardless of how strict this generalization may be. We require the interpretation of the “meaning” of the action.’ Meaning is not observable; it is interpretable. Understanding involves interpretation of the meaning of actions that constitute social reality. • To know meaningful reality = to UNDERSTAND • Understanding = INTERPRETATION of meaning. • Observation is attribution of meaning, i.e. interpretation. • Social structures = structures of meaningful action. Weber on understanding: • The object of understanding = meaningful action, subjective meaning of action. • Understanding = interpretation of subjective meaning of action (meaning actors attach to their actions). • Meaningful action = social action. • = meaningfully related to other people’s actions. • Action = part of social relations. • How subjective is the meaning of action? • attribution • content • Is meaning subjective in its content? • Meaningful action communicates meaning. • Understanding is an essential part of social interactions. • Understanding is possible when meaning is shared. • • Meanings = social things. Shared culture. Shared system of signification. • Weber: to understand meaning = to link action to culture / values. Readings: generally online, search through the Neuman for Verstehen See also additional reading in the package from last year Specific readings from Geertz can be found at docuspot: This is the reading on Thick Descriptions from the text “Turning Point in qualitative research” 3. What are the main differences and similarities between Verstehen interpretivism and logical positivism? From the readings and the above outline, I am sure that you can put this one together. 4. What are the advantages of Logical positivism Advantages Verification, The Scientific Method Science And Objectivity Science And Truth Useful for collecting straightforward, descriptive data Results are statistically reliable Allows researchers to measure and control variables In graph or table form, you get “results at a glance” More representative of the wider population Can compare similar studies more easily 5. Advantages of 'verstehen' (or 'interpretive') • A rich understanding of the people being studied from the understanding from the perspective of the people being studied - To grasp or comprehend the meaning intended or expressed by another • In-depth Examination of Phenomena (greater insights and depth) - Provide thick descriptions of a phenomena • Extracts meaning from data • Examine and answer complex questions that can be impossible with quantitative methods • Explore new areas of research • Oriented toward discovery leads to the generation of theory • Interprets results in context • Focus is holistic • Build new theories Same readings as above. .
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