A Framework for Social Ontology. (March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Epstein, Brian
• Other Names: Bohman James guest-editor.; Bouvier Alban guest-editor.; Henderson David guest-editor.; Kaldis Byron guest-editor.; Montuschi Eleonora guest-editor.; Risjord Mark guest-editor.; Roth Paul guest-editor.; Wylie Alison guest-editor.; Zahle Julie guest-editor.; Bonilla Jesus Zamora guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Philosophy of the social sciences. Volume 46:Number 2(2016:May)
• Page Start: 147
• Page End: 167
• Publication Date: 2016-03
• Subjects: ontology -- causation -- anchor -- practice -- individualism; Social sciences -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Methodology -- Periodicals; Sciences sociales -- Périodiques; Sciences sociales -- Méthodologie -- Périodiques; 300.1
• DOI: 10.1177/0048393115613494
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0048-3931

Abstract

This paper sets out an organizing framework for the field of social ontology, the study of the nature of the social world. The subject matter of social ontology is clarified, in particular the difference between it and the study of causal relations and the explanation of social phenomena. Two different inquiries are defined and explained: the study of the grounding of social facts, and the study of how social categories are "anchored" or set up. The distinction between these inquiries is used to clarify prominent programs in social theory, particularly theories of practice and varieties of individualism.