Mythological individualism

the metaphysical foundation of analytical Marxism

Michael Burawoy

pp. 191-199

in: Terrell Carver, Paul Thomas (eds), Rational choice Marxism, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, 1995

Abstract

Social science stands at the cross-roads of the natural sciences and the historical sciences. It involves both explanation and understanding. As compared to the natural sciences its distinctiveness lies in the shared humanity of scientists and their subject matter. Its data exists preconstituted as meaningful action, and must therefore be decoded before explanation is possible. Because the meaning of action is dependent on context, actors have first to be located in their specific social situation. That goes for ourselves as social scientists just as it applies to the subjects of our study.

Cited authors

Marx Karl