Verstehen

Focusing on the concept of verstehen, Michael Martin critically examines its role in understanding social phenomena from the perspective of social actors in late nineteenth-century Germany. The book contrasts the verstehen approach with positivist methodologies, exploring historical debates among key theorists like Dilthey and Weber. Martin also assesses contemporary interpretations and critiques, ultimately advocating for methodological pluralism as a solution to the limitations of both classical and modern verstehen theories. This work serves as a comprehensive critique relevant to various social science disciplines.