What is Real and What is Realism in Sociology

Bibliographic Data

ID8081934
AuthorsRoy Nash (Massey University, corresponding author)
Year1999
Volume29
Issue4
Pages445-466
Publication date1999-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal for the Theory of Social Behaviour (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0021-8308 • E-ISSN: 1468-5914
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/1468-5914.00112
OpenAlexW2024015055
LanguageEN
Citations received11

In the physical sciences a realist ontology rests on our ability to demonstrate the actual and real nature of material entities. Realist metaphysics of social entities, most influentially Bhaskar's critical realism, attempt to provide a related philosophical foundation for the social sciences. This paper examines the central issue of what is real about society it concludes that social relations and the organisations they constitute do exist and discusses the conditions of their demonstration. Realist interpretations of Bourdieu's theories are given particular attention in an argument that accepts the necessity of social realism but remains cautious about the development of methodologies able to provide effective demonstration

Argument (complex analysis · Critical realism (philosophy of perception · Epistemology · Foundation (evidence · Metaphysics · Ontology · Realism · Scientific realism · Social ontology · Social science · Sociology · Contemporary Sociological Theory and Practice · Critical Realism in Sociology · Law · Philosophy

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