This work deals with the philosophy of social explanation. The main topic is the supposed antagonism between methodological individualism and holism. After an overview and the outline of the thesis, the contents, strengths and weaknesses of methodical individualism and holism are explained. The necessity of considering cognitions and achievements of the philosophy of the mind in order to progress is shown. The conclusion amounts to a synthesis of methodological individualism and holism with the inclusion of the intentional stance as a suggestion for a more productive manner in which to explain and predict social phenomena.
CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Two views - two categories
1.2 The thesis
2. METHODOLOGICAL INDIVIDUALISM EXPLAINED
2.1 Categorization of MI
2.2 The political consequences of MI
2.3 Adversaries of MI and their arguments
2.3.1 Karl Marx
2.3.2 Emile Durkheim
2.3.3 David Hillel Ruben
2.3.4 Erik Olin Wright, Andrew Levine and Elliot Sober
2.3.5 Niklas Luhmann
2.4 The atomist’s demand of MI
2.5 Feared risks of full acceptance of MI
2.6 A principal fault: the part-whole idea
3.HOLISM EXPLAINED
3.1 Categorization of holism
3.2 The long-lasting Hegelian influence
3.3 Functional explanations
3.4 The survival of the belief in supra-individual powers
3.5 Arguments for, and risks of, holism
4.TWO SYNTHESIZING VIEWS
4.1 Systemism by Mario Bunge
4.2 Holistic individualism by Philip Pettit
5.MIND
5.1 The theory of supervenience
5.2 The deconstruction of the mind
5.3 The Intentional stance
6.SYNTHESIS AND CONCLUSION
6.1 How to synthesize?
6.2 Conclusion
7.REFERENCES
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