Pragmatism, critical realism and the study of value

This paper examines the relationship between pragmatism and critical realism, first as alternative philosophies for social sciences in general, second, an illustration, study of monetary valuation. The argues that both traditions are internally diverse. Hence, relations two complex, with substantial overlaps real differences revealed encounters them. Perhaps most significant difference is pragmatism’s distrust invocations structural power explanations, whereas realism encourages them, interaction other explanatory elements. problematizes claims recent work value predominantly pragmatist. Nevertheless, it pragmatist influence has encouraged valuation studies to focus on micro level at expense macro. From a realist perspective, however, there much be gained from approach embraces macro levels