File spoon-archives/bhaskar.archive/bhaskar_2003/bhaskar.0311, message 47


Subject: BHA: RE: Description in social science
Date: Fri, 7 Nov 2003 12:34:50 -0000
From: "Bailey,DJ  (pgr)" <D.J.Bailey-AT-lse.ac.uk>


Dear Steve,

I think the traditional distinction between the explanation and description is part of Humean atomistic rationality.  As far back as RTS, Bhaskar points out that an adequate description will be one that contains the generative mechanisms we know to exist (and possibly identify new ones).  So, an adequate description is one that includes the (causal) generative mechanisms occurring in a particular instance; and an adequate explanation is one that identifies the (causal) generative mechanisms occurring in a particular instance.  They are one and the same thing.

David

-----Original Message-----
From: Fleetwood, Steve [mailto:s.fleetwood-AT-lancaster.ac.uk]
Sent: 06 November 2003 14:33
To: bhaskar-AT-lists.village.Virginia.EDU
Subject: BHA: Description in social science


Dear all

I am trying to think through the idea that the provision of an adequate explanation requires an adequate description. Whilst there is plenty of literature on explanation in social science, there seems to be little on description. Can anyone help me out here?

Regards

Steve 



Dr. Steve Fleetwood
Department of Organisation, Work & Technology
Lancaster University Management School
Lancaster LA1 4 YX
Tel: 01524 594040
Fax: 01524 504060
 



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