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Ontology, methodological individualism, and the foundations of the social sciences

Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate

19 Citations (Scopus)
125 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This is a review essay, based on a critical assessment of The Ant Trap by Brian Epstein. Epstein argues that models in the social sciences are inadequate because they are based on a false ontology of methodological individualism, and proposes a new model of social ontology. I examine this model and point to flaws in it. More generally, I argue against Epstein’s methodological approach, which treats social ontology as prior to social scientific modelling and as certifying the ‘building blocks’ that modellers then use. I argue that modellers can legitimately shape the building blocks for their own models.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1377-1389
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Economic Literature
Volume54
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2016

Keywords

  • ontology
  • methodological individualism
  • social fact
  • collective intention

Access to Document

    • Network for Intergrated Behavioural Science

      Starmer, C. (Principal Investigator), Turocy, T. (Principal Investigator), Barr, A. (Co-Investigator), Brown, G. (Co-Investigator), Chater, N. (Co-Investigator), Cubitt, R. (Co-Investigator), Fatas, E. (Co-Investigator), Gathergood, J. (Co-Investigator), Gosling, S. (Co-Investigator), Lomes, G. (Co-Investigator), MacKay, R. (Co-Investigator), Poulsen, A. (Co-Investigator), Read, D. (Co-Investigator), Stewart, N. (Co-Investigator), Sugden, R. (Co-Investigator) & Zizzo, D. (Co-Investigator)

      Economic and Social Research Council

      31/12/12 → 30/12/16

      Project: Research

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