Philosophical Thinking

The transcript discusses the speaker's journey into philosophy, highlighting their interest in abstract thinking and the influence of Oxford's philosophical environment. It explores the relationship between philosophy and social sciences, emphasizing the importance of philosophical approaches in governance. The speaker argues for the superiority of philosophical thinking and the need for conceptual rigor alongside methodological rigor, using examples to illustrate different types of explanations.

What factors contributed to the speaker's interest in philosophical thinking?

How did the speaker's academic journey at Oxford influence their philosophical work?

In what ways does the speaker suggest that sociologists of science could benefit from a philosophical approach?

What is the relationship between methodological rigor and conceptual rigor according to the speaker?

Why does the speaker believe that philosophical questions are important in social science?