Introduction

Abstract

I view this book primarily as a work in the philosophy of social science, particularly as it applies to sociology and social psychology. Perhaps unusually, it is written by someone trained as a sociologist who has always been interested in philosophical problems and psychological issues as they bear upon human existence and social life. Although the greater part of the book does not directly concern itself with issues that confront research-oriented social scientists, nevertheless, what I have to say does impinge on these concerns in a no less important way than a book which concentrates exclusively on practical issues of method and data collection.