Synopses & Reviews
In the last twenty years, there has been growing evidence of discontent with the social and behavioral sciences, both from outside and inside these fields of study. Problems and criticisms include the accumulation of unrelated and unrelatable research results, lack of unification among the disciplines, inability to conceptually distinguish one discipline from another, and conversely, excessive fragmentation. Quin McLoughlin proposes a new set of disciplines for a human science, based on a relativist view of knowledge and a naturalist view of human nature.
In his attempt to integrate the historical, cross-cultural, and life-span developmental dimensions of human behavior, McLoughlin begins with a discussion of the issues of the nature of knowledge. He then presents the general outlines of a new psychological theory, and offers major considerations for a new sociological theory as well. The book concludes with a structure and general indications for method of the new human science and its function in society. McLoughlin addresses the major current issues of the philosophy of social science and designs his theory for cross-cultural application. He also offers an explanation of the relationships among the biological, psychological, and sociological sciences. Philosophers of science, especially social science, will appreciate this work, as will all scholars interested in the understanding and explanation of past and present human behavior.
Review
McLoughlin tells us that his book and theory were stimulated by his lifelong frustration with social science theory and method. It is the crown jewel in the author's long and dedicated teaching career. The reader can find something to contemplate in any and every part of the book.Contemporary Psychology
Synopsis
McLoughlin proposes a new set of disciplines for human science, based on a relativist view of knowledge and a naturalist view of human nature. He addresses the major current issues of the philosophy of social science and designs his theory for cross-cultural application.
About the Author
QUIN McLOUGHLIN is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Roosevelt University in Chicago.
Table of Contents
Preface
Philosophical Assumptions of Human Science
Revolution in Social Science
Worldview and Mode of Thought
Relativism of Knowledge
Naturalism of Subject Matter
Summary of the Philosophical Assumptions of Relativistic Naturalism
Theory and Structure of Human Science
Human Nature
Environmental Influences through the Life Span
Universal Components of Personality
Development of Personality through Universal Age-Grades
The Science of Sociology
Human Science and Society
References
Indexes