Explaining Agrarian Change

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Dr. Little is undertaking an examination in the philosophy of the social sciences organized around four recent controversies in empirical agrarian studies. His study is designed to permit the formulation and analysis of topics in the philosophy of social science that are concretely related to the current practice of social science. This investigation analyzes the main theoretical and methodological controversies in these four debates and attempts to determine how these theories illuminate issues in the philosophy of science. The primary aim of this investigation is to arrive at a more detailed and accurate representation of the logic and diversity of social science than is available in the philosophy of science literature today. This study will shed new light on traditional problems in the philosophy of social science, and it will suggest new problems for further research within this area. A second goal of this research is to contribute substantively to ongoing debates in the concrete areas under scrutiny. Experience in other areas of the philosophy of science shows that philosophical examination of current empirical research can be of significant benefit to the practicing scientist in clarifying conceptual puzzles, analyzing issues in the logic of explanation and confirmation, and the like. Many of the issues in the area of agrarian studies which Dr. Little is examining are ones that cut across disciplinary boundaries and involve abstract philosophical concepts like rationality, community, or moral values. A philosopher's treatment of these issues in their context in the empirical literature should be of interest to the practitioners themselves. Thus the research produced from this project promise to be of great interest to both philosophers and social scientists.