Methodology
Maryam Poostforush; Mostafa Taqavi
Abstract
Different narratives have been offered so far of the nature of science and scientific activity. Roy Bhaskar as one of the leading critical realists seeks to set the ground for a Copernican Revolution in the philosophy of science which seems to have been handled well by him. To this end, he proceeds ...
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Different narratives have been offered so far of the nature of science and scientific activity. Roy Bhaskar as one of the leading critical realists seeks to set the ground for a Copernican Revolution in the philosophy of science which seems to have been handled well by him. To this end, he proceeds to highlight the ontological debates and at the same time pays attention to the social nature of science. In A Realist Theory of Science, which contains original and powerful arguments in the philosophy of science, not only does he raise criticisms against some philosophical schools and explains his own theory of science, rather he does also broach significant categories in the philosophy of science. His remarks with their philosophical basis can inspire the scholar who studies Bhaskar’s philosophy. Among the most important ones of these categories, one can refer to the mutuality of ontological realism and epistemological relativism as well as his criticism of Tarsky’s theory of truth. This essay aims at reviewing Bhaskar’s key work in the philosophy of natural sciences and identification of its points of weakness and strength using a descriptive ـ analytic method. This is undertaken through a detailed review of the whole book in view of its formal, qualitative, and content dimensions. The essay is concluded by a number of practical suggestions.
Methodology
Rahman Sharifzadeh
Abstract
Roger Trigg’s Understanding Social Science does a good job of criticizing positivist and deterministic approaches to social science, either biological, social, or psychological. In the context of critical realism, Trigg criticizes in a good and detailed way many of the common dichotomies, ...
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Roger Trigg’s Understanding Social Science does a good job of criticizing positivist and deterministic approaches to social science, either biological, social, or psychological. In the context of critical realism, Trigg criticizes in a good and detailed way many of the common dichotomies, amongst which naive realism / non-realism is most important. Although Trigg attempts to go away from positivistic and non-critical methodologies, and in result opens up a way for rational evaluation and judgment, as we shall see, he does not develop his methodology very well; moreover, his understanding of what society is and what social structures and realities are made of may endanger the empirical aspect of his methodology. Furthermore, it seems to me that some of Trigg’s arguments in the field of rationality are ambiguous and do not go far enough in the critique of constructivists’ and relativists’ attitudes.
Methodology
Seyed Mohammad Taghi Movahed Abtahi
Abstract
Lack of theory is among the main challenges of Islamic social sciences. Some experts have attempted to theorize by suggesting philosophical and methodological subjects. The book “Theorizing in Islamic Economy, Analyzing the Possibility of scientific Theorizing in Islamic Economy and ...
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Lack of theory is among the main challenges of Islamic social sciences. Some experts have attempted to theorize by suggesting philosophical and methodological subjects. The book “Theorizing in Islamic Economy, Analyzing the Possibility of scientific Theorizing in Islamic Economy and its Methodology” is written by Hassan Agha Nazari for active students and researchers in Islamic Economy. In this book, the author strives to employ both the theories of philosophy of science, Islamic science philosophy, and Islamic teachings to produce a theory in Islamic Economy. This article describes and evaluates the main idea of the book, namely the method of scientific theorization of Islamic Economy. In spite of the critiques of form and content, it is advisable that major modifications be required in the form and content of the book in the subsequent editions. Moreover, by drawing on the latest developments in the philosophy of science, Islamic science philosophy, and Islamic teachings, it can make a robust theorization in Islamic economy.
Philosophy
amir sadeqi; maryam saneapour
Abstract
In the recent decades, religious pluralism has been extensively discussed as a theory that claims to establish reconciliation between the religious diversities based on an interpretation of the absolute truth. John Hick, as one of the main theoreticians in this field, has presented a comprehensive discussion ...
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In the recent decades, religious pluralism has been extensively discussed as a theory that claims to establish reconciliation between the religious diversities based on an interpretation of the absolute truth. John Hick, as one of the main theoreticians in this field, has presented a comprehensive discussion regarding this notion in his book: An Interpretation of Religion. Hick’s theory can be analyzed from different prospects in his book and it offers the opportunity to probe its both positive and negative aspects. Hick has attempted to express his theory philosophically through the interpretation of those religions emerged from divergent cultures and traditions in alignment. Besides, this theory can be assessed by the study of the exterior and the interior compatibility of the Pluralism theory by focusing on his book whether it is possible to accept the results of Hick’s theory based on his arguments and reasoning or not.