Transcript Asheim-Realism

Realism – a basic introduction
Professor Bjørn Asheim,
Lecture, NORSI/PING PhD course
University of Agder,
Kristiansand, 25th October 2012
Why a course in philosphy of social
science
To write a PhD dissertation a more
advanced level of reflection is needed. To
undertake this a certain level of knowledge
is required:
• On methods
• On theory
• On methodology, which is based on knowledge
of:
• Epistemology
• Ontology
Positivism
All forms of positivism rest upon four basic
principles:
• Phenomenalism (all objects of science is
observable)
• Nominalism (atomistic reductionism)
• Value freedom (as in science)
• Unity of science (based on the
epistemology and ontology of science)
Realism vs. positivism
Realism represents a methodological
alternative to positivism of carrying out
empirical research. Realism is based on:
• a non-atomistic ontology and
• a non-empiricistic epistemology
While theoretical work in a realist framework
is done by abstraction, i.e. to disclose
objective existing structures and mechanism which
is not directly observable, positivism is not
distinguishing between ontology and epistemology due to
the atomistic reductionism
Realism
Ontology (materialist)
Intransitive
objects
): objects existing
in reality (existing
independent of
our consciousness)
Epistemology
Transitive,
scientific
objects
(concepts,
models etc.)
Realism vs. positivism
In realism theory is understood as:
• Conceptualisation (by abstraction)
in contrast to positivism’
• Ordering framework (e.g. a model)
This difference implies a distinction between
• a priori construction of theory by abstraction (in
realism), and
• a posteriori theory formation through theoretical
and empirical generalisations (in positivism)
Realism
Realism argues that reality is stratified, and
that no level (strata) can be reduced to the next:
• The real, i.e. structures and mechanism which is
not directly observable
• The actual, i.e. events, which is observable
phenomenon
• The empirical, i.e. the experience of events
Causality is grounded in the interactions between
generative mechanisms in the domain of the real
Abstract vs. concrete research
Abstract research: The realist terminology
for theoretical categories of necessary
relations, i.e. reciprocal dependent
conditions (i.e. structures).
The construction of theoretical categories is
described as abstract analysis of structures
and mechanisms.
Abstract vs. concrete research
• Necessary (internal) relations (causal
powers) – the ’real’.
Internal, necessary relations, which contains
causal powers as generative structures and
mechanisms.
Concrete research:
The realist terminology for the empirical
study of contingent relations
Concrete research
• Contingent (external) relations on the level
of the actual
• Contingent relations is defined as nonreciprocal, dependent conditions (i.e. time
and space specific conditions)
• Contingent relations are not without
causality but without necessity
Causal explanation in realism
• Causal explanation through retroduction, starting
with abstract research (conceptualisation) and
using concepts and theories in carrying out
concrete, intensive research (contextual
analysis) integrating historical, contingent
relations ’on the way’.
• Can be compared with Marx’ ’two route
strategy’, i.e. from the material concrete to the
theoretical-abstract, and from the abstract to the
concrete
Strenghts of realism
• Epistemological basis for carrying out theoretical
informed case-studies (in contrast to case
studies as an explorative strategy, i.e. an
inductive, empiricist way)
• Concrete research is looked upon as one
specific type of research
• Abstract research gives theoretical work an
indpendent status
• Theoretical informed case studies aim at
disclosing causal powers explaining the
existence of specific phenomenon and not
deciding the extent and/or frequency of events
Concrete research
• Can context represent explanatory factors
(Warde): ’the distinction between
necessity and contingency renders
illegitimate concerns with contextuality’
• Sayer: ’Causal contexts’ = causal powers
combined with ’contingencies’ which
activate structures and mechanisms in
time and space specific contexts
Strenghts of realism
As a methodology for comparative research
as the distinction between abstract and
concrete research enables the opposition
between nomothetic (generalisations) and
ideographic (historical specific (’unique’))
approaches to be transcended:
1. Unique and independent
2. General and independent
3. Unique and interdependent
4. General and interdependent
Comparative research
Most relevant for comparative studies (as
well as locality research):
• ’Unique’ (concrete research) and
’interdependent’ (abstract research)
Causal powers of structures and
mechanisms can be generelizable as they
are necessary features of objects