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An exploratory analysis of free will in the social sciences

Byrne, Michael J.

Abstract Details

2011, Bachelor of Arts, Ashland University, History/Political Science.
This study is an exploratory analysis of the belief in free will within the social sciences. While free will is a common topic in many fields, currently, very little research has investigated this topic. As such, this study was based on the assumption that no statistical difference would be found between the social sciences on belief in free will. To investigate this hypothesis, a historical case study was used to analyze belief in free will among professionals in the social science fields. Three general problems were addressed. First, this study examined the consistency of the belief in free will or determinism across the major divisions of the soft sciences. Second, this investigation highlighted the differences found within anthropology and political science. Lastly, consistency and inconsistency in the belief of free will and determinism within the social sciences was discussed. Significance was found in political science and anthropology. Two potential implications are addressed for these findings. Firstly, anthropology and political science may not accurately be classified as social sciences. Secondly, a mobius model was introduced to explain the natural flow of quantitative and qualitative methods that define the social sciences. These results provide an understanding of the social sciences beliefs concerning free-will. As no research has investigated belief in this way before, this research provides a basis for further research. Further research should be pursued addressing the role of religion, time, sub-fields, and work in multiple fields. The proposed mobius-model should also be further analyzed.
Oscar McKnight, PhD (Committee Chair)
Brent Mattingly, PhD (Committee Member)
Justin Lyons, PhD (Committee Member)
128 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Byrne, M. J. (2011). An exploratory analysis of free will in the social sciences [Undergraduate thesis, Ashland University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=auashbrook1304710552

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Byrne, Michael. An exploratory analysis of free will in the social sciences. 2011. Ashland University, Undergraduate thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=auashbrook1304710552.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Byrne, Michael. "An exploratory analysis of free will in the social sciences." Undergraduate thesis, Ashland University, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=auashbrook1304710552

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)