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