Philosophy is considered one of the oldest academic disciplines, dating back to ancient civilizations like those of Greece and China. While it is a broad field that covers various aspects of human existence and knowledge, it is distinct from the Social Sciences, which emerged later and focus more specifically on the study of society and human behavior using empirical methods.
The philosophy of social science is studied to understand the nature of social phenomena, the methods used to study them, and the underlying assumptions that shape social scientific inquiry. It helps scholars reflect on the theoretical foundations of social science research and critically analyze the principles guiding social inquiry. Additionally, it provides insight into the complexities of social reality and encourages a deeper understanding of human behavior and society.
Philosophy is often considered a foundational discipline that explores fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, ethics, and reality. While philosophy may not be a parent science in the traditional sense of the term, it provides the theoretical framework and critical thinking skills that underpin many other disciplines, including the natural and social sciences.
Philosophy of science is a branch of philosophy that examines the foundations, methods, and implications of science. It explores questions about the nature of scientific knowledge, the scientific method, and the relationship between science and other areas of human inquiry.
The oldest school of Indian philosophy is believed to be the Samkhya school, which is thought to have been formulated around the 5th century BCE by the sage Kapila.
Philosophy is not typically considered a science because it does not rely on empirical evidence or follow the scientific method. It is more concerned with abstract concepts, logic, and ethics rather than systematic observation and experimentation. However, some branches of philosophy, like philosophy of science or philosophy of mind, may intersect with scientific disciplines.
Some consider philosophy to be the oldest social science because it has been studied since ancient times and has influenced the development of other social sciences.
That depends on your definition of science versus philosophy and who studied political science first (and, thereby, at what time). I would likely argue that political science is not the oldest of the social sciences but, rather, economics is.
John A. Schumacher has written: 'Human posture' -- subject(s): Body, Human (Philosophy), Methodology, Philosophy, Science, Social aspects, Social aspects of Science
Loren R. Graham has written: 'Science, philosophy, and human behavior in the Soviet Union' -- subject(s): Science, History, Dialectical materialism, Soviet Union 'Science, philosophy and human behaviour in the Soviet Union' 'Technology, Culture, and Development' 'Moscow stories' -- subject(s): Intellectual life, Science, Social aspects, Social aspects of Science, Social conditions, Travel 'Science in the new Russia' -- subject(s): Science, History 'Science and philosophy in the Soviet Union' -- subject(s): Science, Dialectical materialism, History 'What have we learned about science and technology from the Russian experience?' -- subject(s): Constructivism (Philosophy), History, Science, Social aspects, Social aspects of Science, Social aspects of Technology, Technology
Phil Hutchinson has written: 'There is no such thing as a social science' -- subject(s): Philosophy and social sciences 'Shame and philosophy' -- subject(s): Shame, Emotions (Philosophy)
The hallmarks in the philosophy of the social sciences are reconstructing social science in a rational way and criticizing the social sciences. The reason for the criticism is to improve the social sciences or making it easier for us to comprehend it.
Steve Fuller has written: 'Philosophy, rhetoric, and the end of knowledge' -- subject(s): Knowledge, Theory of, Philosophy, Rhetoric, Science, Social aspects, Social aspects of Science, Theory of Knowledge
Barry Barnes has written: 'Scientific knowledge' -- subject(s): Science, Philosophy, Psychology, Sciences, Social aspects of Sciences, Social aspects 'The elements of social theory' -- subject(s): Philosophy, Social sciences 'Scientific knowledge and sociological theory' -- subject(s): Knowledge, Sociology of, Science, Social aspects, Social aspects of Science, Sociology, Sociology of Knowledge 'Interests and the growth of knowledge' -- subject(s): Knowledge, Sociology of, Sociology of Knowledge 'Sociological theories of scientific knowledge' 'Science in Context' 'Invitation to the Sciences' 'Understanding agency' -- subject(s): Responsibility, Philosophy, Sociology, Agent (Philosophy) 'The interaction of science and technology'
James Hardie-Bick has written: 'Crime, governance and existential predicaments' -- subject(s): SOCIAL SCIENCE / Anthropology / Cultural, Structuralism, PHILOSOPHY / Movements / Existentialism, Existentialism, PHILOSOPHY / Social, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Criminology, Criminology
Naomi Zack has written: 'Women of Color and Philosophy' 'Inclusive feminism' 'American Mixed Race' 'Philosophy of science and race' -- subject(s): Race, Science, Science and civilization, Social aspects, Social aspects of Science 'Ethics for disaster' -- subject(s): Disasters, Emergency management, Moral and ethical aspects, Moral and ethical aspects of Emergency management, Risk assessment 'Bachelors of science' -- subject(s): History, Identity (Psychology), Modern Philosophy, Philosophers, Philosophy and science, Philosophy, Modern, Psychology
L. M. Kosareva has written: 'Predmet nauki' -- subject(s): Communism and science, Philosophy, Science, Social aspects, Social aspects of Science
The philosophy of social science is studied to understand the nature of social phenomena, the methods used to study them, and the underlying assumptions that shape social scientific inquiry. It helps scholars reflect on the theoretical foundations of social science research and critically analyze the principles guiding social inquiry. Additionally, it provides insight into the complexities of social reality and encourages a deeper understanding of human behavior and society.