Includes bibliographies.

Introduction: The crisis of understanding.--Max Weber on Verstehen: Weber, M. Objectivity in social science and social policy. Weber, M. Basic sociological terms. Parsons, T. Value-freedom and objectivity. Habermas, J. Discussion.--The positivist reception: Abel, T. The operation called Verstehen. Rudner, R. On the objectivity of social science. Taylor, C. Interpretation and the sciences of man.--The Wittgensteinian reformulation: Winch, P. The idea of a social science. Winch, P. Understanding a primitive society. Jarvie, I. C. Understanding and explanation in sociology and social anthropology. Winch, P. Comment.--Phenomenology and ethnomethodology: Schutz, A. Concept and theory formation in the social sciences. Garfinkel, H. What is ethnomethodology? Mayrl, W. Ethnomethodology: sociology without society?--Hermeneutics and critical theory: Apel, K.-O. The A priori of communication and the foundation of the humanities. Ricoeur, P. The model of the text: meaningful action considered as a text. Habermas, J. A review of Gadamer's Truth and method.