Critical realism (philosophy of the social sciences)

Critical realism in the philosophy of the social sciences is a theoretical approach that seeks to provide a robust and ontologically grounded understanding of social reality and the processes that govern social phenomena. It was developed primarily by philosopher Roy Bhaskar in the late 20th century as a response to the limitations of positivism and other empiricist approaches in social science research.

Key principles and characteristics of critical realism in the philosophy of the social sciences include:

1. Ontological Realism: Critical realism posits that there is an objective reality that exists independently of our perceptions and knowledge. It emphasizes the importance of studying social reality as it is, beyond what we can directly observe or experience.
2. Depth Ontology: Critical realism proposes a depth ontology, which involves distinguishing between the empirical realm (the observable events and phenomena) and the real or underlying structures that generate those events. It focuses on understanding the underlying mechanisms, powers, and causal relationships that drive social phenomena.
3. Transcendental Argument: Critical realists use transcendental arguments to make inferences about the underlying structures of social reality. They argue that certain observable effects or events imply the existence of deeper causal mechanisms that produce those effects.
4. Mechanisms and Powers: Critical realism highlights the importance of identifying and understanding the generative mechanisms and powers that operate in social reality. These mechanisms are responsible for producing observable social phenomena.
5. Emergence and Contextuality: Critical realism recognizes the emergent nature of social phenomena, where new properties and patterns may arise from the interaction of various social elements. It also acknowledges the significance of the social context in shaping social processes and outcomes.
6. Epistemic Relativism and Truth: Critical realism acknowledges that our knowledge of social reality is limited and influenced by our perspectives and theories. However, it argues that this epistemic relativism does not mean that there is no objective truth about social phenomena.
7. Emancipatory Interest: Critical realism is often associated with an emancipatory interest, meaning that it seeks to understand social reality in a way that can inform and empower social change and progressive transformation.

Critical realism in the philosophy of the social sciences provides a theoretical foundation for social researchers to move beyond positivism’s narrow focus on observable data and causal regularities. It encourages researchers to delve into the deeper structures and mechanisms that shape social phenomena and opens up new possibilities for understanding and transforming complex social systems. Critical realism has been influential in various social science disciplines, including sociology, anthropology, economics, and political science.