Measuring the Intentional World: Realism, Naturalism, and Quantitative Methods in the Behavioral Sciences [Hardcover]

J. D. Trout (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 5, 1998

Scientific realism has been advanced as an interpretation of the natural sciences but never the behavioral sciences. This exciting book introduces a novel version of scientific realism--Measured Realism--that characterizes the kind of theoretical progress in the social and psychological sciences that is uneven but indisputable. Trout proposes a theory of measurement--Population-Guided Estimation--that connects natural, psychological, and social scientific inquiry. Presenting quantitative methods in the behavioral sciences as at once successful and regulated by the world, Measuring the Intentional World will engage philosophers of science, historians of science, sociologists of science, and scientists interested in the foundations of their own disciplines.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The virtues of this book are many and it is well worth the attention of anyone who is interested in the debate about realism and naturalism in the social sciences. It is extremely clear and well-written, and offers a wealth of detail on the history of the relevant philosophical debates. Though primarily a work of philosophy it is well-grounded in current empirical work in the social and behavioral sciences. If few are ultimately persuaded that the realism debate must take heed of the social sciences, that measured realism is the best way to do so, or even that social inquiry deserves to be thought of as scientific, this book provides an engaging challenge against which the reader should test his or her views."--Philosophy of Science

"A radical book, and essential reading for courses in philosophy of science, statistics, and research methods."--Choice

"There is much of value in Trout's book. The careful sorting out of often confused realist claims is welcome. His recognition that the social sciences sometimes have measurement and testing procedures akin to those of the natural sciences is also a welcome antidote to the long tradition of arguing about their scientific status without looking at what they actually do. Trout's claim that assessments of realism issues require carefully looking at specific theories seems to me particularly valuable."--Philosophical Review

"This is an interesting, complex, and important book. Indeed, it may well be the most important book in the philosophy of the social sciences since Rosenberg's Sociobiology and the Preemption of Social Science (1980). In addition to developing an original and intriguing naturalistic account of psychology and the social sciences, Trout offers the reader a most nuanced analysis of various forms of scientific realism, as well as a well-developed version of naturalistic epistemology."--Teaching Philosophy

About the Author

J. D. Trout is at Loyola University, Chicago.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (February 5, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195107667
• ISBN-13: 978-0195107661
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,262,971 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Psychology must be a Science, January 11, 2003

By 

Pablo Livacic (Oviedo, Spain) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Measuring the Intentional World: Realism, Naturalism, and Quantitative Methods in the Behavioral Sciences (Hardcover)

When the psychologist decide to leave the mentalistic culture and take the science and statistical methods as tool for work, then our history will change. Before was Fisher, Gosset, Skinner an so on., and now is the moment to give the oportunity for J. D Truot's book to remember our responsability.

I recommend it without fear.