Critical Realism, Post-positivism and the Possibility of Knowledge

Groff defends 'realism about causality' through close discussions of Kant, Hilary Putnam, Brian Ellis and Charles Taylor, among others. In so doing she affirms critical realism, but with several important qualifications. In particular, she rejects the theory of truth advanced by Roy Bhaskar. She also attempts to both clarify and correct earlier critical realist attempts to apply realism about causality to the social sciences.
By connecting issues in metaphysics and philosophy of science to the problem of relativism, Groff bridges the gap between the philosophical literature and broader debates surrounding socio-political theory and poststructuralist thought. This unique approach will make the book of interest to philosophers and socio-political theorists alike.

Ruth Groff is a Visiting Assistant Professor at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She is interested in the history of Western social, political and moral thought and in theories about causality and the concept of truth. Past publications include The Truth of the Matter, a systematic critique of Roy Bhaskar's theory of truth.