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Hermeneutics of explanation
or, if science is theoretical why isn't psychology?
pp. 71-84
Abstract
Following a critical review of the nature of explanation, it is argued that explanations, whether of singular events or empirical regularities, are fundamentally theoretical in nature. Theoretical explanations invoke hypothetical structures which are neither deductively related to empirical regularities, or nomothetic laws, nor simply predictive of singular events. The value-ladeness of our theoretical explanations in psychology and, hence, our rationality, is only bounded by the historical, social-cultural, life forms which characterize our linguistic and communal practices. It is concluded that psychology, in its search for theoretical explanations, is inescapably a hermeneutic endeavor.
Publication details
Published in:
Hyland Michael E., Baker William J, van Hezewijk René, Terwee Sybe J S (1990) Recent trends in theoretical psychology: proceedings of the third biennial conference of the international society for theoretical psychology april 17–21, 1989. Dordrecht, Springer.
Pages: 71-84
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4613-9688-8_6
Full citation:
Mos Leendert, Boodt Casey P. (1990) „Hermeneutics of explanation: or, if science is theoretical why isn't psychology?“, In: M. E. Hyland, W.J. Baker, R. Van Hezewijk & S.J.S. Terwee (eds.), Recent trends in theoretical psychology, Dordrecht, Springer, 71–84.