Areas of Knowing: Human Sciences

Cick here for a PDF version of      "12 Claims of the Verstehen Position,"   Reuben Abel's postulation that unlike the natural scientist, the social scientist must "make use of his own inner experience. . . . He must use the methods of introspection and empathy, which have noting in common with the procedures of natural science.

Teachers: after students have read the "12 Claims of the Verstehen Position," have them complete the following worksheet on hard and soft sciences.  This is also a PDF document.

click on the links below 

Human sciences are concerned with human society and the institutions, relationships, and ideas involved in social life. Fields include anthropology, sociology, political science, economics, history, law, psychology, criminology, and social psychology.