Abstract

Winch identifies the central problem of sociology, "that of giving an account of the nature of social phenomena," with philosophy, particularly epistemology. In his attempt to undermine the "underlabourer" conception of philosophy, he draws support from Wittgenstein by reinterpreting the latter's assertion that "What has to be accepted, the given, is--so one could say--forms of life." The social character of language and meaningful behavior is treated as the starting point for a new conception of philosophy, as well as of sociology.--J. E. M.