Integrating the Human Sciences: Enhancing Progress and Coherence across the Social Sciences and Humanities

Description

What if we recognized that the human sciences collectively investigate a few dozen key phenomena that interact with each other? Can we imagine a human science that would seek to stitch its understandings of this system of phenomena into a coherent whole? If so, what would that look like? This book argues that we are unlikely to develop one unified "theory of everything." Our collective understanding must then be a "map" of the myriad relationships within this large – but finite and manageable – system, coupled with detailed understandings of each causal link and of important subsystems. The book outlines such a map and shows that the pursuit of coherence – and a more successful human science enterprise – requires integration, recognizing the strengths and weaknesses of different methods and theory types, and the pursuit of terminological and presentational clarity. It explores how these inter-connected goals can be achieved in research, teaching, library classification, public policy, and university administration. These suggestions are congruent with, and yet enhance, other projects for reform of the human sciences. This volume is aimed at any scholar or student who seeks to comprehend how what they study fits within a broader understanding. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page CONTENTS List of Illustrations Preface 1. Introduction Outline of This Book Key Characteristics of This Book Human Science and Natural Science Why Do This? Summary 2. Research in Human Science The Map of Human Science Identifying Phenomena The Openness of Subsystems No Theory of Everything Specialization and Integration Symbiosis Standards for Integrative Work Clarifying Terminology The Costs of Excessive Ambiguity Coping with Ambiguity The Style and Substance of Argument Theories and Methods Identifying Methods Strengths and Weaknesses of Different Methods and Theory Types The Value of Employing Multiple Methods and Theories Responding to Postmodern Critiques The Culture Wars Summary 3. Connecting to Other Suggestions for Reform in the Human Sciences Reforming Social Science Comprehensive Appraisal Novelty Cumulative Inquiry Confirmation Bias Causality Representation (Variables versus Phenomena) and Reflexivity Structure Individuals and Societies Consensus Debates in the Humanities Defining the Humanities The Aesthetic versus the Cultural A Few Causal Links or Many? Explanation versus Interpretation High Art versus Popular Culture The Humanities No Longer Inspire Coherence The Value of the Humanities Summary 4. Research in Human Science Fields Specialization by Phenomena or Subsystem Particular Subsystems or Sets of Causal Links Economy Polity Social Structure Health and Population Culture Art Technology and Science Human Nature Environment History Philosophy Concluding Remarks Summary 5. Teaching in Human Science What Every Student Can and Should Know The Structure of Human Science Knowledge Key Strengths and Weaknesses of Methods and Theory Types Strategies for Integration Some Epistemology Some Ethics Rhetoric and Critical Thinking World History and Future Studies Structuring Interdisciplinary and Thematic Majors Teaching in an Integrative and Comparative Manner Some Thoughts on High School Social Studies and English Summary 6. Reorganizing Our Libraries Phenomenon-Based Classification Ambiguity Again Summary 7. Informing Public Policy The Advantages of an Integrative Approach to Research Reduced Bias Recognition of Side Effects Integrating Academics and Policy-Makers Educating Future Policy-Makers Summary 8. Administering Transformation; Transforming Administration Thoughts on Administrative Structures Overcoming Academic Inertia Changes beyond the University Summary 9. Concluding Remarks References Index