The Causal Power of Social Structures

Emergence, Structure and Agency

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Sociology, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy
Cover of the book The Causal Power of Social Structures by Dave Elder-Vass, Cambridge University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Dave Elder-Vass ISBN: 9780511852251
Publisher: Cambridge University Press Publication: June 17, 2010
Imprint: Cambridge University Press Language: English
Author: Dave Elder-Vass
ISBN: 9780511852251
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Publication: June 17, 2010
Imprint: Cambridge University Press
Language: English

The problem of structure and agency has been the subject of intense debate in the social sciences for over 100 years. This book offers a solution. Using a critical realist version of the theory of emergence, Dave Elder-Vass argues that, instead of ascribing causal significance to an abstract notion of social structure or a monolithic concept of society, we must recognise that it is specific groups of people that have social structural power. Some of these groups are entities with emergent causal powers, distinct from those of human individuals. Yet these powers also depend on the contributions of human individuals, and this book examines the mechanisms through which interactions between human individuals generate the causal powers of some types of social structures. The Causal Power of Social Structures makes particularly important contributions to the theory of human agency and to our understanding of normative institutions.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The problem of structure and agency has been the subject of intense debate in the social sciences for over 100 years. This book offers a solution. Using a critical realist version of the theory of emergence, Dave Elder-Vass argues that, instead of ascribing causal significance to an abstract notion of social structure or a monolithic concept of society, we must recognise that it is specific groups of people that have social structural power. Some of these groups are entities with emergent causal powers, distinct from those of human individuals. Yet these powers also depend on the contributions of human individuals, and this book examines the mechanisms through which interactions between human individuals generate the causal powers of some types of social structures. The Causal Power of Social Structures makes particularly important contributions to the theory of human agency and to our understanding of normative institutions.

More books from Cambridge University Press

Cover of the book Revisiting the Vietnam War and International Law by Dave Elder-Vass
Cover of the book Histories of Human Engineering by Dave Elder-Vass
Cover of the book Teaching, Learning, and Visual Literacy by Dave Elder-Vass
Cover of the book Political Philosophy by Dave Elder-Vass
Cover of the book Economic Origins of Dictatorship and Democracy by Dave Elder-Vass
Cover of the book Africa in the Time of Cholera by Dave Elder-Vass
Cover of the book Induced Representations of Locally Compact Groups by Dave Elder-Vass
Cover of the book Language and the African American Child by Dave Elder-Vass
Cover of the book International Dispute Settlement by Dave Elder-Vass
Cover of the book Phase Transitions in Materials by Dave Elder-Vass
Cover of the book Egocentric Network Analysis by Dave Elder-Vass
Cover of the book What Goes Up... Gravity and Scientific Method by Dave Elder-Vass
Cover of the book Differential Geometry of Singular Spaces and Reduction of Symmetry by Dave Elder-Vass
Cover of the book Manual of Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Transplantation by Dave Elder-Vass
Cover of the book Creep and Fracture of Ice by Dave Elder-Vass
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy