This post shifts focus slightly to consider social science and some of the key ideas I’ve considered over recent years and begun to embrace regarding the goals of social science, social research practices, and some philosophical aspects of such inquiry. Amongst other considerations, my current view is that social inquiry should have explanatory aims; can … [Read more…]
In his book The Invention of Science David Wootton argues that “the idea of discovery is … a precondition for the invention of science” (p.54) and, linked with this, that the idea of discovery itself had to be invented. He points to the works of Francis Bacon which “built a philosophy of science around the … [Read more…]
Lately I’ve been listening to a podcast by Australian comedian Wil Anderson called Wilosophy. A key feature of this podcast is he asks other comedians and well-known people if they have a philosophy that guides them, where they got it, and how it guides their choices/life. It’s great. Here are some examples. The John Safran … [Read more…]