Rules, Magic and Instrumental Reason: A Critical Interpretation of Peter Winch's Philosophy of the Social Sciences (Routledge Studies in Twentieth-Century Philosophy) - Softcover

Lerner, Berel Dov

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0415758521 ISBN 13: 9780415758529

Publisher: Routledge, 2015

Synopsis

This book offers a systematic and critical discussion of Peter Winch's writings on the philosophy of the social sciences. The author points to Winch's tendency to over-emphasize the importance of language and communication, and his insufficient attention to the role of practical, technological activites in human life and society.
It also offers an appendix devoted to the controversy between the anthropologists Marshall Sahlins and Gananath Obeyesekere regarding Captain James Cook's Hawaiian adventures.
Essential reading for those studying the development of philosophy in the twentieth century, this book will also be of great interest to anthropologists, sociologists, scholars of religion, and all those with an interest in the relationship between philosophy and the social sciences.

About this title

Review:

"Lerner's overall account of Winch is insightfully critical. Lerner's own notion of instrumental pluralism seems fruitful and would repay further study.."
-Paul O'Grady, Trinity College, Dublin/ Signs, 2004

About the Author:

Berel Dov Lerner is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Western Galilee College, Israel.

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 0415758521
• ISBN 13: 9780415758529
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 192