Artikel

Het methodologisch individualisme als negatief heuristisch principe

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Abstract

Methodological individualism as a negative heuristic principle – “Methodological individualism” often has an ambiguous use and usually has ideological connotations. This is shown to be the consequence of the untenability of this methodological principle : defenders of the principle automatically and necessarily abandon it, and apply improper and weaker variants in their creative scientific work. The strict form of methodological individualism, then, is only used to criticize and to eliminate other theoretical positions. In this usage, it has the function of a negative heuristic principle. This is explained by referring to the structure of a scientific research programme, as outlined by Imre Lakatos. But this negative heuristic application of the principle is scientifically unfair, because of the untenability of (strict) methodological individualism as a positive heuristic principle. Thus, it is only inspired by a (dogmatic) concern to defend the hard core of the scientific research programme. This clearly reveals the ideological function of methodological individualism. The analysis is illustrated by the work of F.A. von Hayek and in particular by his criticism of Galbraith’s ’dependence effect’.

How to Cite:

Bostyn, F., (1988) “Het methodologisch individualisme als negatief heuristisch principe”, Tijdschrift voor Sociale Wetenschappen 33(1), 29–47. doi: https://doi.org/10.21825/tvsw.94971