Northcott, Robert (2022) Reflexivity and fragility. [Preprint]

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Abstract

Reflexivity is, roughly, when studying or theorising about a target itself influences that target. Fragility is, roughly, when causal or other relations are hard to predict, holding only intermittently or fleetingly. Which is more important, methodologically? By going systematically through cases that do and do not feature each of them, I conclude that it is fragility that matters, not reflexivity. In this light, I interpret and extend the claims made about reflexivity in a recent paper by Jessica Laimann (2020). I finish by assessing the benefits and costs of focusing on reflexivity.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Northcott, Robert r.northcott@bbk.ac.uk
Additional Information:	accepted for publication in 'European Journal for Philosophy of Science'
Keywords:	reflexivity; fragility; master model; contextual; prediction; Laimann
Subjects:	General Issues > Confirmation/Induction Specific Sciences > Economics Specific Sciences > Environmental Science General Issues > Models and Idealization General Issues > Science and Society Specific Sciences > Sociology
Depositing User:	Dr Robert Northcott
Date Deposited:	15 Jun 2022 03:08
Last Modified:	15 Jun 2022 03:08
Item ID:	20739
Subjects:	General Issues > Confirmation/Induction Specific Sciences > Economics Specific Sciences > Environmental Science General Issues > Models and Idealization General Issues > Science and Society Specific Sciences > Sociology
Date:	12 June 2022
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/20739

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