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Categories, concepts, and reasoning in the study of international relations
Author(s) -
Rosecrance Richard N.
Publication year - 1961
Publication title -
behavioral science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1099-1743
pISSN - 0005-7940
DOI - 10.1002/bs.3830060307
Subject(s) - proposition , balance (ability) , epistemology , international relations , content (measure theory) , sociology , positive economics , management science , psychology , political science , economics , mathematics , philosophy , law , politics , neuroscience , mathematical analysis
Abstract The theory that what we find out about the real world is dependent upon the terms we use as well as upon the nature of reality is a major contention of this article. Since the words of a proposition are no more dispensable than its empirical content, what is necessary is not the elimination of definitions and their role, but the establishment of a satisfactory “balance” between what is conceptual and what is concrete. Here three such possible “balances” are illustrated in arguments about international relations.