Should psychology adopt Bhaskar’s critical realist philosophy of science?

Robert Archer argues that psychology should abandon its use of Karl Popper’s philosophy of science. He recommends that psychology ought to adopt the philosophy of critical realism in its place. I put Archer’s concern with Popper to one side and provide a selective critique of mainstream critical realism, in the light of some developments in contemporary philosophy of science. I express some misgivings about the ontological commitments of Roy Bhaskar’s critical realism, and comment on the limitations of his DREI(C) model of scientific inquiry. In doing so, I also respond to a number of critical remarks Archer makes about replication in psychology.

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Publication Details

Journal
Theory & Psychology
Published
2024-09-30
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/09593543241265727
Citations
3
Primary Topic
Philosophy and History of Science
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
18.13
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article

Should psychology adopt Bhaskar’s critical realist philosophy of science?

Brian D. Haig
3 citations
Theory & Psychology
Philosophy and History of Science
18.13
article

Should psychology adopt Bhaskar’s critical realist philosophy of science?

Brian D. Haig
article en
3 citations

Abstract

Robert Archer argues that psychology should abandon its use of Karl Popper’s philosophy of science. He recommends that psychology ought to adopt the philosophy of critical realism in its place. I put Archer’s concern with Popper to one side and provide a selective critique of mainstream critical realism, in the light of some developments in contemporary philosophy of science. I express some misgivings about the ontological commitments of Roy Bhaskar’s critical realism, and comment on the limitations of his DREI(C) model of scientific inquiry. In doing so, I also respond to a number of critical remarks Archer makes about replication in psychology.

Theory & PsychologyVol. 34(5)
University of Canterbury (NZ)
Openalex Percentile: Top 1%
Philosophy and History of Science
18.13
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