Home – Home – Jornals – Philosophy of Sciences 2023 number 2

The article deals with the problem of applying the concepts of “cause” and “causality” in social sciences. The author refers to analytical philosophy, where the issue of the legitimacy of using these concepts in scientific research and the problem of the possibility of building social sciences on the model of natural sciences were actively discussed. The study shows that the position of a particular philosopher concerning the strategy of building social sciences depends on his understanding of the role of causality in explaining the actions of an individual. Proponents of the standard (causal) theory of action take a positivist position and believe that social sciences should use the methods and approaches of natural sciences. On the contrary, representatives of the anti-causal wing believe that social sciences should use their own methodology. Hence, the solution of this problem should be preceded by the development of a theory of action.