Constitution of Social Practices

• List of FiguresIntroduction1 A "Cultural" Approach to Social Science2 Practice Theory Today3 Core Ontological Commitments4 Sketch of the Argument5 Of Philosophy and Social ScienceChapter 1: What Are Practices?1 Actions under a Description2 Looping Effects3 Historical ConstitutionChapter 2: Knowledge1 Knowledgeable Practices2 Conceptualising KnowledgeChapter 3: Retroactive Redescription1 The Validity of Retroactive Redescription2 The Effects of Retroactive Redescription3 Functional Concepts and Typological Classification;4 What Is at Stake?Chapter 4: Identification and Context1 Identifying Practices "in All Their Specificity"2 Relations and Relational Properties3 Criteria of IdentificationChapter 5: Specificity and Generalisation1 Functions2 Implications for Generalisation, Explanation and Description3 Patchwork HolismChapter 6: Possibility and Capacities1 Possibility2 CapacitiesChapter 7: Constitutive Relations and Constitutive Theory1 Constitutive Theory2 Constitutive Relations3 Stability and Change Conclusion1 Culture and Action in the Social Sciences2 Some Benefits of Studying PracticesWorks Cited

"What constitutes "practice theory" is often bewildering. McMillan not only does an excellent job of sorting this out but presents a distinctive original argument for a cultural approach, based on a theory of human action and the philosophy of social science, which is applicable as an approach to empirical studies." - John G. Gunnell, Distinguished Professor, Emeritus, State University of New York, Albany, USA. "A welcome antidote to the confusion that surrounds the use of the concept of practice in the social sciences today, The Constitution of Social Practices offers a fresh philosophical analysis of this concept and explores its implications across a broad range of empirical fields, thereby adding new clarity and rigor to the study of practices." - Jens Bartelson, Lund University, Sweden."In this refreshing book, Kevin McMillan offers a much-needed defence of the practice approach to social science. McMillan expertly guides the reader through the multiple benefits of conducting social science via the empirical study of related practices. His conception of the latter emerges from a critical exploration of proposals ranging from Theodore Schatzki’s account of social practices to Michael Thompson’s naive action theory. This is philosophically informed social theory at its best." - Constantine Sandis, University of Hertfordshire, UK.