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    The term 'methodological individualism' in social science... — Carmelics
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    Supports→Fodor's use of the label 'individualism' for methodological individualism is misleading.

    The term 'methodological individualism' in social science (Weber, Hayek) concerns explanatory reduction to individual agents, not supervenience on intrinsic properties.

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    1 reason for
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    Reasons For

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    Reason for
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    • 1.Weber's verstehen methodology explicitly targets individual rational action and subjective meaning-making, not intrinsic physical properties.
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    • 2.Hayek's critique of holism argues macro phenomena arise from individual choices and interactions, permitting emergence beyond mere aggregation.
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    • 3.Relational and contextual properties of agents (beliefs, preferences, social positions) can ground MI without reducing to intrinsic features.
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    Reasons Against

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    Reason against
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    • 1.If individual agents are defined by their relational properties, MI collapses into structural explanation—contradicting the claimed distinction.
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    • 2.Hayek's spontaneous order requires rules and institutions as causal factors; these aren't reducible to individual agency as traditionally conceived.
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    • 3.The claim conflates explanatory priority (explaining via agents) with metaphysical dependence (what exists depends on what); these differ fundamentally.
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    Consciousness & Mind1 linkedPhilosophy of Language1 linked

    Related

    Fodor's use of the label 'individualism' for methodological individualism is mis...Hayek's critique of holism argues macro phenomena arise from individual choices ...Hayek's spontaneous order requires rules and institutions as causal factors; the...If individual agents are defined by their relational properties, MI collapses in...
    +3 moreShow less
    Relational and contextual properties of agents (beliefs, preferences, social pos...The claim conflates explanatory priority (explaining via agents) with metaphysic...Weber's verstehen methodology explicitly targets individual rational action and ...

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    claim
    Perspectives
    2 (1 for, 1 against)
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