Conceptual Tension - Essays on Kinship, Politics, and Individualism

Conceptual Tension: Essays on Kinship, Politics, and Individualism is a critical philosophical examination of the role of concepts and concept formation in social sciences. Written by Leon J. Goldstein, a preeminent Jewish philosopher who examined the epistemological foundations of social science inquiry during the second half of the twentieth century, the book undertakes a study of concept formation and change by looking at the four critical terms in anthropology (kinship), politics (parliament and Rousseau’s concept of the general will), and sociology (individualism). The author challenges prevailing notions of concept formation and definition, specifically assertions by Gottlieb Frege that concepts have fixed, clear boundaries that are not subject to change. Instead, drawing upon arguments by R.G. Collingwood, Goldstein asserts that concepts have a historical dimension with boundaries and meanings that change with their use and context. Goldstein’s work provides insight for philosophers, historians, political scientists, anthropologists, and Judaica scholars interested in the study and meaning of critical concepts within their fields.

List of contents

Foreword, Vincent M. Colapietro
Introduction. Conceptual Tension and Social Science Research: The Legacy of Leon J. Goldstein, David Schultz
Chapter 1. Conceptual Tension: The Open Texture of the Language of Kinship
Chapter 2. Conceptual Tension: Individualism and Non-Individualism Once Again
Chapter 3. Thinking the General Will
Chapter 4. Reflections on Parliament as an Open Concept

About the author

David Schultz is a distinguished professor of political science and legal studies at Hamline University in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and professor of law at the University of Minnesota.

Summary

Leon J. Goldstein critically examines the philosophical role of concepts and concept formation in the social sciences. The book undertakes a study of concept formation and change by looking at four critical terms in anthropology (kinship), politics (parliament and the general will), and sociology (individualism).

Product details

• Authors: Leon J. Goldstein, Goldstein Leon J.
• Assisted by: David Schultz (Editor), Professor David Schultz (Editor), Vincent M. Colapietro (Foreword)
• Publisher: Lexington Books
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 12.11.2014
• EAN: 9781498504225
• ISBN: 978-1-4985-0422-5
• No. of pages: 206
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Philosophy > General, dictionaries; Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Philosophy: general, reference works; Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political science and political education; PHILOSOPHY / Social, PHILOSOPHY / Political, RELIGION / Judaism / General, PHILOSOPHY / Epistemology, POLITICAL SCIENCE / History & Theory, RELIGION / Judaism / Theology, Theology, Social & political philosophy, Political science & theory, social and political philosophy, Judaism, Political science and theory, Philosophy: epistemology & theory of knowledge, Philosophy: epistemology and theory of knowledge, Judaism: theology