OBJECTS OF SOCIAL SCIENCE, THE

Introducing the philosophy of social science to philosophers and others who are interested in what goes on in the social sciences, Montuschi (London School of Economics) focuses on objectivity, not as an ideal or predefined standard, but as the result of the practice of social science as a specific type of activity. She draws attention to the various procedures, methods, forms of description and classification of objects used in social science inquiry; and reflects on the theoretical, methodological and philosophical queries posed by that practice. After reviewing the main issues and setting out the context in which she analyzes them, she looks at anthropological, sociological, historical, economic, and geographical objects.