The paper discusses Daniel Little’s argument about meso-level properties and their explanatory power it in the light of analytical sociology literature. The difference between causally relevant and causally generative properties is outlined. Following critical realism, causal statements are of two kinds: claims about the objects and events that produce effects and claims about the properties of or facts about these objects and events that are relevant to these effects. I argue that this distinction is in line with analytical sociology for which generative causes must be events rather that facts or states, but where social structure is for sure causally relevant for the explanation.

Meso-Level Mechanisms and Micro-Level Foundations

BARBERA, Filippo
2012-01-01

Abstract

The paper discusses Daniel Little’s argument about meso-level properties and their explanatory power it in the light of analytical sociology literature. The difference between causally relevant and causally generative properties is outlined. Following critical realism, causal statements are of two kinds: claims about the objects and events that produce effects and claims about the properties of or facts about these objects and events that are relevant to these effects. I argue that this distinction is in line with analytical sociology for which generative causes must be events rather that facts or states, but where social structure is for sure causally relevant for the explanation.
2012
Inglese
Sì, ma tipo non specificato
1
1
12
12
Social mechanisms; social structure; causation; explanation; analytical sociology
no
1 – prodotto con file in versione Open Access (allegherò il file al passo 6 - Carica)
262
1
F. Barbera
info:eu-repo/semantics/article
open
03-CONTRIBUTO IN RIVISTA::03A-Articolo su Rivista
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2318/114063
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