Philosophy
S.B. Seyednejad; P. Amini
Abstract
The theory of conventions (I’tibariat) in Islamic philosophy and constructivism theory in social sciences and international relations are both considered to be modern and almost contemporaneous in terms of new formation which, with different origins, natures and fate, has distinct implications ...
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The theory of conventions (I’tibariat) in Islamic philosophy and constructivism theory in social sciences and international relations are both considered to be modern and almost contemporaneous in terms of new formation which, with different origins, natures and fate, has distinct implications and functions in the epistemic and social spheres. This study explicates the two theories and has, for the first time, regards the epistemological and ontological problematic caused by the incompatibility of “realism and constructivism” in the orthodox narratives of the theories in international relations -considered one of the most important philosophical, non-constructivist and interdisciplinary issues- as an entry into contemplation over the philosophical reconstruction of constructivism. In the course of exposition and categorization of the old and new perceptions of the theory of conventions (I’tibariat), the study contends that under an interactive approach, the two concepts could be compatible in a way that its referent is not “relativism” and “social determination of knowledge” or “denial of any subsistence or determination in the outer world”. Ultimately, the study moves away from both “raw realism” and “pure constructivism” approaches, and takes into account a consequent definition in the theory of constructivism that is not anti-realistic alhtough it “denies the external equivalent of conventions”. At the same time, cognitivism would not lose its true meaning either. The outcomes are considered more significant because in parallel with the decline of philosophical and political realism in recent decades and the epistemological confusion resulting from “the incommensurable bipolar epistemological views in international relations, namely the positivist majority on the one hand and a remarkable minority of post-positivists on the other”, the contemporary theorists of international relations have been guided to constructivist theories that the “social theory of international politics” indicates its conventional and social approach, during which and with efforts to reduce the epistemological importance of constructivism, the proposed solution is to resort to positivism and ontological aspects of constructivism.
Philosophy
M.R. Amiri Tehrani
Abstract
The individual-community relationship has always been one of the most fundamental topics of social sciences. In sociology, this is known as the micro-macro relationship while in economics it refers to the processes, through which, individual actions lead to macroeconomic phenomena. Based on philosophical ...
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The individual-community relationship has always been one of the most fundamental topics of social sciences. In sociology, this is known as the micro-macro relationship while in economics it refers to the processes, through which, individual actions lead to macroeconomic phenomena. Based on philosophical discourse and systems theory, many sociologists even use the term "emergence" in their understanding of micro-macro relationship, which refers to collective phenomena that are created by the cooperation of individuals, but cannot be reduced to individual actions. "Emergence" theories attempt to explain the nature of society as a complex system by examining how individuals and their relationships lead to the creation of integrated and macro-social phenomena such as markets, educational systems, cultural beliefs, and shared social practices. As a prelude to activity, every researcher has to answer the question from the methodological point of view, how is it possible to study the behavior of social groups and how can we gain knowledge about the laws related to social groups? Anyone who deals with humanities and social sciences or any reality and phenomenon that affects human beings, inevitably deals with the reality that is emerging. In fact, emergence occurs when one level of reality emerges radically from another level. Examples of emergent levels of reality include how the mind emerges from the body; or the way society emerges from human beings. Therefore, when there is an emerging factor, different scientific disciplines should be used, because it is inevitable to talk about social affairs, psychology and neurobiology, as well as physical and even chemical.
