A History and Philosophy of the Social Sciences

Peter Manicas argues that ideology is the defining characteristic of the social sciences in this review of the discipline. He contends that social science was originally based on a false ideal of science and that the historical assumptions of it are, in general, too "Eurocentric".

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Peter Manicas argues that ideology is the defining characteristic of the social sciences in this critical review of the discipline. In particular, he contends that social science was originally based on a false ideal of science and that the historical assumptions of social science are in general, too "Eurocentric". It deals first with the history of key ideas from the early modern period - from Hobbes and Rousseau to Quine, Kuhn and Popper - before exploring the institutional and social features which have shaped the emergence of modern social science. He then reveals the ideological component of mainstream social science, suggesting an alternative philosophy for the future. The volume is relevant to students in all social science disciplines.