Date: Tue, 22 Oct 2002 06:07:28 -0700 (PDT)
From: Mark Methven <markmeth-AT-rocketmail.com>
Subject: Re: BHA: Social vs. Behavioral Science


Hi Marsh...and listers,

Without rereading or scanning PON, my recollection is
that the book in it's entirety is a refutation of the
inadequacies of logical-positivism in all its forms,
behaviorism being  representative of the social
sciences. There are fundamental differences in the
concepts of agency, knowledge, causality, etc.,
ontologically and epistemologically. Of course, you
know that and I am unaware of a concise version which
could be used as a 'power summary' for execs.

Andrew Sayer has two excellent volumes: "Method in
Social Science A Realist Approach", 1984/2nd ed. 1992
- pertinent to your question is Chapt.1; and "Realism
and Social Science", 2000.

Good luck!

Mark Methven
Sociologist and Independent Scholar
Boston, MA


PS.  In passing, "trained as a physicist" raises
interesting philosophical issues in education...

 
--- Marshall Feldman <marsh-AT-uri.edu> wrote:
> Can someone help me out? Somewhere, I think in PON,
> RB distinguishes between
> social and behavioral science. Do you know where?
> Also, if I'm correct that
> this is in PON, then it's likely to be a bit dense.
> I'm looking for
> something I can give to our Vice-Provost, who's a
> physicist by training,
> that explains the difference.
> 
> Thanks.
> 
> 	Marsh Feldman
> 
> 
> 
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