Synopsis
The status of the social sciences as knowledge presents two fundamental problems. The first is epistemological: in what sense is the subject of the social sciences known and knowable? The second is pragmatic: can knowledge generated by the social sciences be applied, and with what consequences?
In this book, Nico Stehr offers a major reassessment of the latter question of the utility of social science knowledge, including economics. Arguing for a reconception of the ways in which social scientific knowledge can be and is applied, this book will be of interest to a broad range of social scientists.
Booknews
Reassesses the utility of social science knowledge through a case study of how (indeed whether) the political, social, and economic policies pursued in Keynesian economics are related to Keynesian ideas as social science. Stehr (sociology, U. of Alberta) says the proposed application of a study or discipline must be built into the initial construction of knowledge. Acidic paper. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)