Understanding Ourselves

Essays in the History and Philosophy of the Social Sciences

The following essays are thought to be representative rather than historically developmental, that is to say, each one of the theorists discussed in these ten essays represents a particularly cogent development within their field of study -- sociology, anthropology, psychology -- and, therefore, are given pride of place in our discussion of the history and philosophy of the social sciences. They are not especially thought of as sequentially developmental in that one thinker’s work naturally and inevitably led to the next thinker’s thought. These essays, then, constitute a collection of studies relative to key thinkers in each of the social sciences being considered rather than a history of the history and philosophy of the social sciences. Emanuel Kant has reminded us that there is no history of science without a philosophy of science. To aid the serious reader who might wish to pursue more systematically both a history of the social sciences and a philosophy of the social sciences, a reference bibliography has been provided. Also, and more to the point, a resource bibliography for each of the thinkers considered in this collection of essays is also provided. From the social philosophy of Herbert Spencer to the social biology of E. O. Wilson is no small journey, nevertheless, it is hoped that these essays will make the journey more enjoyable.