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Causality in social theory via linguistic fuzzy logic

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  • Badredine Arfi

Abstract

I present a new approach to the study of causality in social theory using linguistic fuzzy logic as a framework. This approach differs from conventional analysis of causality on two fronts. First, all variables are considered to possess two degrees of freedom (or variation): a linguistic nuance value, which corresponds to what we conventionally refer to as interval or categorical value, and a linguistic truth value, which measures our confidence level in this nuance value. Second, combining this double fuzzification of variables with linguistic fuzzy logic I propose new tools for studying fuzzy causality. The linguistic fuzzy logic approach is illustrated through a re-examination of Skocpol’s ( 1979 , States and social revolutions: a comparative analysis of France, Russia, and China. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge) theory of social revolution. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2013

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  • Badredine Arfi, 2013. "Causality in social theory via linguistic fuzzy logic," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 47(2), pages 853-880, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:qualqt:v:47:y:2013:i:2:p:853-880
    DOI: 10.1007/s11135-011-9570-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Arfi, Badredine, 2005. "Fuzzy Decision Making in Politics: A Linguistic Fuzzy-Set Approach (LFSA)," Political Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 13(1), pages 23-56, January.
    2. Charles C. Ragin & Paul Pennings, 2005. "Fuzzy Sets and Social Research," Sociological Methods & Research, , vol. 33(4), pages 423-430, May.
    3. Ragin, Charles C., 2000. "Fuzzy-Set Social Science," University of Chicago Press Economics Books, University of Chicago Press, edition 1, number 9780226702773, December.
    4. Badredine Arfi, 2009. "Probing the Democratic Peace Argument Using Linguistic Fuzzy Logic," International Interactions, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 35(1), pages 30-57, March.
    5. repec:ucp:bkecon:9780226702766 is not listed on IDEAS
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