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Selfstudy assignment Philosophy of Science
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Eva Craane2672529
Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology
Philosophy of Science
SSA 7-9
09/03/2021
7.1 The sixth chapter of Risjord deals with reductionism and relates to the ‘level of analysis’
of social science research, making a distinction between (i) the micro level (individual
actions) and (ii) the macro level (institution/social community). The distinction between
individualism and holism is therefore central. In Chapter 6, is this distinction discussed
under the ‘explanation column’ or the ‘understanding column’? (refers to the figure in the
programme syllabus, p. 3) Explain your answer.
Individualism is explained with the use of John Stuart Mill’s System of Logic (1872); ‘Men’s
actions and passions are obedient to the laws of individual human nature’. He explains
society to be nothing more than the laws of actions and passion of human beings, that make a
society. Individualism further argues that only individuals and their features really exist in
society, and society is explained by individual actions. It reduces macro phenomena to micro
phenomena.
Holism is explained by Durkheim in response to individualism. He argued that ‘in the
nature of society itself that we must seek the explanation of social life’ (1938). Holism argues
that in addition to individuals, there also are ‘wholes’, such as societies, communities and
social institutions. Furthermore, both individual actions and social phenomena are needed to
explain social sciences. Macro phenomena do not reduce to micro phenomena.
In Chapter 6, these distinctions are discussed under the ‘explanation column’ of the
program syllabus, as it relates back to systems and agents. Explanation refers to explaining
social phenomena from a spectator’s perspective. The explanations column further refers to
finding the intention to certain actions, you have to understand the individual.
Risjord, Mark (2014). Philosophy of Social Science. A Contemporary Introduction. New
York: Routledge.
7.2 Suppose someone claims that, in relation to the occurrence of revolutions, the need for
reductionism is not relevant for policymakers who have the power to intervene in social
reality. This person argues that the need for reductionism is only of interest to philosophers.
How would you respond? Support your response with at least two arguments.
The claim that reductionism is not relevant outside of philosophy is not something I agree
with. Looking at the idea of revolutions, individuals that are active and dissatisfied with
current events are needed to spark social change. This active stance that these individuals
relates to societal change, in the form of a revolution. With just looking at your individual
problems and dissatisfactions, there would be no feeling of change. However, making these
dissatisfactions a societal problem together with other individuals sparks change, and
therefore reductionism is useful.
The second argumentation can be made related to the previous argument, about the
prisoners dilemma. It is similar to the revolutionists, but looks at a smaller scale of two
individuals instead of more. It is argued that if the revolution was set up like the prisoner’s
, dilemma, revolutions would not occur. This has to do with the concept of free-riders. The
problem of free-riders is solved at an individual level, as individuals are part of institutions
within a society. Risjord (2014) explains this as: ‘When the trade union supports a general
strike, individuals are required by the union rules to stay away from work’ (p. 175).
Risjord, Mark (2014). Philosophy of Social Science. A Contemporary Introduction. New
York: Routledge.
7.3 In the first paragraph of Chapter 6, Risjord asks the following question: “Can the social
level be reduced to the individual level? Or is something lost when we treat a church as
nothing more than the set of its members?” Give an answer to this question and show that
you have understood the texts that go with lecture 7.
I do not think that the social level can be reduced solely to the individual level. We can argue,
as Mill said, that every society is made up of individuals with individual behavior. However,
I believe that by reducing the social level to just the individual level, you lose a part of the
identity of individuals. Besides the fact that individuals have their own norms, values and
beliefs that make them who they are, they are also influenced by the society they live in, and
the surroundings that they live around. These societal influences can for example be church
and beliefs, work, school and other social activities. By attending and engaging, or not
attending and engaging, you adapt yourself to the society, and therefore cannot be reduced to
just individual.
The example of a revolution can be used. If everyone only cared about the individual
and knew that they cannot trust the society, revolutions would not occur. To start a
revolution, you need a shared frustration and a shared trust that you are all going to act on it.
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