TY - CHAP

T1 - Critical realism in geography

AU - Sayer, Richard Andrew

PY - 2015

Y1 - 2015

N2 - The nature of critical realist philosophy and its relevance to geography are outlined, including its fallibilism and distinctive way of understanding causation, which is especially appropriate for the study of the irregular behaviors that typically confront geographers. It also acknowledges that the intrinsically meaningful character of social phenomena requires interpretive understanding of meaning in society. Further, it defends a critical stance toward the ideas and practices studied by social researchers. Some implications for methodology are sketched, and illustrations are given of research informed by critical realism in geography. Finally, critical responses to critical realism are summarized

AB - The nature of critical realist philosophy and its relevance to geography are outlined, including its fallibilism and distinctive way of understanding causation, which is especially appropriate for the study of the irregular behaviors that typically confront geographers. It also acknowledges that the intrinsically meaningful character of social phenomena requires interpretive understanding of meaning in society. Further, it defends a critical stance toward the ideas and practices studied by social researchers. Some implications for methodology are sketched, and illustrations are given of research informed by critical realism in geography. Finally, critical responses to critical realism are summarized

U2 - 10.1016/B978-0-08-097086-8.72010-1

DO - 10.1016/B978-0-08-097086-8.72010-1

M3 - Entry for encyclopedia/dictionary

SP - 277

EP - 280

BT - International Encyclopedia of the Social and Behavioural Sciences

A2 - Wright, James D.

PB - Elsevier

CY - Oxford

ER -