An analysis of the Critical Realism approach in the social sciences

"Critical Realism," as one of the leading social philosophies, has managed to capture the attention of many thinkers in the field of social sciences, particularly sociology. This philosophy, primarily epistemological, emerged in response to empirical realism and transcendental idealism, first in the natural sciences and then in the social sciences, starting from the ۱۹۷۰s, evolving into a paradigm and extended epistemological movement that encompasses various fields of natural sciences and social-human sciences, diverging towards a rival stream. Critical Realism, by categorizing reality into three levels: experienced reality, actualized reality, and hidden reality, claims to seek a deeper understanding of phenomena and the mechanisms behind their formation. As a social philosophy, Critical Realism falls under the umbrella of a mixed approach, sharing similarities with other integrative perspectives but also carrying important differences; one of the major distinctions lies in the way ontology and epistemology interact within this school of thought. The findings of this research indicate that Critical Realism emphasizes philosophy and philosophical self-awareness, leading social science researchers to better grasp both implicit and explicit assumptions in their research, and ultimately, in practical applications, Critical Realism holds great potential in utilizing knowledge through interdisciplinary approaches to solve social issues. In general, Critical Realism asserts that there is no way to achieve valid knowledge except through criticizing previous experiences and knowledge of the surrounding world, meaning a perpetual and critical examination and evaluation of experiences that exist independently of one's own mind.