An Introduction to Critical Realism

An Introduction to Critical Realism.

Presented by Dr Johnny Pullman

ACAP Senior Lecturer

Date: Wednesday 19 June 2024

Time: 6:00pm - 7:30pm AEST

Delivery Modes: On Campus (Sydney) and Online/Webinar

Location: ACAP Sydney Campus - Level 12, 255 Elizabeth Street Sydney

Rooms 12.06 and 12.08

An Introduction to Critical Realism.

Critical Realism is a philosophy of science introduced by British philosopher Roy Bhaskar in his 1975 work A realist theory of science. Bhaskar was concerned with overcoming perceived shortcomings in both positivist and post-modern philosophical thought and their associated research methods. Positivism was critiqued for its inability to generate meaningful explanations of phenomena, across contexts, in complex open systems; and post-modenism was critqued for its failure to move beyond relativism to provide meaningful abstract explantions for discrete events and experiences.

Since its introduction Critical Realism has developed a growing presence in applied research, particularly within the social sciences and economics. In this seminar ACAP Senior Lecturer, Dr Pullman, will work through the key features of critical realism, explaining how its use of a vertical, stratified ontology, relativist epistemology, generative mechanisms and retroductive reasoning combine to make it a valuable approach to complex scientific questions, particularly those that involve human choice and human action.

Reference

Bhaskar, R 1975, A realist theory of science, Leeds Books., Leeds.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

ACAP Sydney Campus and Webinar, 255 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, Australia