This textbook by Martin Hollis offers an exceptionally clear and concise introduction to the philosophy of social science. It examines questions which give rise to fundamental philosophical issues. Are social structures better conceived of as systems of laws and forces, or as webs of meanings and practices? Is social action better viewed as rational behavior, or as self-expression? By exploring such questions, the reader is led to reflect upon the nature of scientific method in social science. Is the aim to explain the social world after a manner worked out for the natural world, or understand the social world from within?

Preface; 1. Introduction: problems of structure and action; 2. Discovering truth: the rationalist way; 3. Positive science: the empiricist way; 4. Ants, spiders and bees: a third way?; 5. Systems and functions; 6. Games with rational agents; 7. Understanding social action; 8. Self and roles; 9. Explaining and understanding; 10. A value-neutral social science?; 11. Rationality and relativism; 12. Conclusion: two stories to tell; Bibliography; Index.