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Philosophy of the Social Sciences - PHI00122I

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  • Department: Philosophy
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
    • See module specification for other years: 2024-25

Module summary

This module aims to develop an understanding of the nature of society and of our knowledge of it through philosophical examination of the social sciences. There are no formal prerequisites for taking the course, but knowledge of at least some social science and of some basic philosophy of science will be helpful. The module will be taught by a weekly lecture and seminar.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2023-24

Module aims

This course aims to develop an understanding of the nature of society and of our knowledge of it through philosophical examination of the social sciences. Topics will include the naturalist and interpretivist methods of social scientific investigation, the construction of social reality, the methods of evolutionary explanation in the social sciences, the role of values in social sciences, feminist methodology in the social sciences, the autonomy of the social sciences.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students should be able to…

  • Critically evaluate the relative merits of naturalist and interpretivist methods in social scientific investigation.

  • Explain and evaluate theories of the construction of social reality.

  • Defend informed opinions concerning the scope and limits of scientific knowledge of society, and the relation between social science and natural science.

  • Identify and analyse conceptual and normative presuppositions of social scientific theory, of its methods, and of particular arguments made by philosophers and social scientists.

Module content

The module will examine a number of issues related to the particular methods of social scientific enquiry, the nature of social reality and the scope and limits of social scientific explanations. Critical discussion of the naturalistic methods and the interpretivist methods will relate to the work of Karl Marx, John Stuart Mill, Émile Durkheim, and Robin Collingwood and to other contemporary authors. The nature of social reality, including social actions and social facts, will be considered through the work of Max Weber and John Searle. The scope and limits of social scientific investigation will be explored through contemporary debates on the role of values in social science, feminist methodology in social science, evolutionary explanations in social science and the autonomy of the social sciences.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

Feedback will be given in accordance with the policies of the University and the Philosophy Department.

Indicative reading

  • Michael Martin and Lee C. McIntyre (eds.) 1994. Readings in the Philosophy of Social Science. MIT Press.

  • Harold Kincaid (ed.) 2012. The Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Social Science. Oxford University Press.

  • Cassandra L. Pinnick, Noretta Koertge, and Robert F. Almeder (eds.) 2003. Scrutinizing Feminist Epistemology: An Examination of Gender in Science. New Brunswick (New Jersey): Rutgers University Press


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.