Understanding experience: an art of sociological interpretation 1600-SZD-N-RD-SOC
For over a hundred years, there has been a debate about the character and role of meaning, understanding, and interpretation in the social sciences. This debate essentially preserves the opposition between the interpretation/understanding of the meanings of action and events (anti-naturalism) and the causal explanation of social actions and phenomena (naturalism). Arguments for both positions will be presented by addressing the following topics: a) the relationship of philosophy to the social sciences, b) subjectivity and agency, c) explanation versus interpretation, d) rule-following and its connections with meaningful behavior, e) concepts and social life. The lecture part of the course will be devoted to a concise presentation of these issues. The discussion around the readings and the papers prepared by the seminar participants will focus on the limitations of both of these perspectives. Their indication and analysis, for example in the dimension of the limitations of reflexivity, rationality, the illusion of perspectives, the role of emotions and habits, will serve to initially define the position of rational ignorance.
Type of course
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
Knowledge: Knows and understands:
WG_1 - world achievements, covering theoretical foundations as well as general issues and selected specific issues of a given scientific or artistic discipline, to a degree allowing revision of existing paradigms
WG_3 - methodology of scientific research
WG_4 - rules for disseminating results of scientific research, also in the open access mode
WK_1 - fundamental dilemmas of modern civilization
Skills: Can:
UW_1 - use knowledge of various scientific or artistic disciplines to creatively identify, formulate and innovatively solve complex problems or perform research tasks, and specifically: define the purpose and subject of research and formulate a research hypothesis, develop and creatively use research methods, techniques and tools, draw conclusions from research results
UW_2 - make a critical analysis and evaluation of the results of scientific research, expert activity and other creative works and their contribution to the development of knowledge
Social competences: Is ready to:
KK_1 - critically evaluate the achievements of a given scientific or artistic discipline
Assessment criteria
Description of requirements related to participation in classes, including the permitted number of explained absences;
knowledge of the given texts and active participation in discussions; one absence permitted
Principles for passing the classes and the subject (including resit session);
active listening, joining in discussions, presentation
Methods for the verification of learning outcomes;
written or oral credit
Evaluation criteria: knowledge of obligatory texts, activity during classes, presentation
Bibliography
Basic (classical) texts by Max Weber, Peter Winch, Charles Taylor, Hans-Georg Gadamer and contemporary texts, selected to address the issues discussed in class
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: