On the Logic of the Social Sciences

In this wide-ranging work, now available in paperback, Habermaspresents his views on the nature of the social sciences and theirdistinctive methodology and concerns. He examines, among otherthings, the traditional division between the natural sciences andthe social sciences; the characteristics of social action and theimplications of theories of language for social enquiry; and thenature, tasks and limitations of hermeneutics. Habermas' analysisof these and other themes is, as always, rigorous, perceptive andconstructive. This brilliant study succeeds in highlighting the distinctivecharacteristics of the social sciences and in outlining the natureof, and prospects for, critical theory today.