Three forms of inductive generalization -statistical generalization, variation-based generalization and theory-carried generalization -are insufficient concerning case-to-case generalization, which is a form of analogical generalization. The quality of case-to-case generalization needs to be reinforced by setting up explicit analogical argumentation. To evaluate analogical argumentation six criteria are discussed. Good analogical reasoning is an indispensable support to forms of communicative generalization -receptive and responsive (participative) generalizationas well as exemplary generalization.
Abstract. Three traditional kinds of intersubjectivity, that is consensual, regimented and explicit intersubjectivity are differentiated from two alternative kinds, namely argumentative and dialogical intersubjectivity. An essential part of argumentative intersubjectivity is the methodological discourse in which the participants have to strive for the so-called ideal speech situation. Dialogical intersubjectivity includes argumentative intersubjectivity, but the interaction between researchers as well as between researchers and subjects is more symmetrical and less rationalistic.In qualitative research strictly regimented intersubjectivity is not, or only partly, adequate or relevant, while dialogical intersubjectivity is typical. In quantitative research dialogical intersubjectivity in a full sense is not, or only partly, adequate or relevant, while regimented intersubjectivity is typical.Although methodological intersubjectivity -certainly in the sense of argumentative intersubjectivity -is essential to the whole scientific enterprise, methodological objectivity -if it implies doing justice to the object of study -is even more important.
Some philosophers of science and social scientists disapprove of using empathy in human inquiry. Empathy would be neither sufficient nor necessary for understanding another person. In this article, the insufficiency of empathy will be recognized, but the necessity of empathy for interpersonal understanding in everyday life, situations of professional care, and certain forms of human inquiry, especially qualitative research, will be supported. However, empathic understanding should not be conceived as pure psychic identification, but rather as putting oneself imaginatively into the experiential world of another person with the aim to understand the other. Emotional resonance is not only an early phase of it, but also a basic facet. A comprehensive conceptualization of empathic understanding is developed, which makes empathy more worthwhile in professional contexts. Empathic understanding is conceived as a two-dimensional concept. The mental dimension refers to affective, cognitive, and interpretive facets or phases of empathic understanding and the social dimension refers to expressive, responsive, and interactive facets or phases of empathic understanding. These two dimensions are crosswise combined and the most optimal form of empathic understanding is called ''dialogical-hermeneutical empathic understanding.'' In addition, the importance of imagination and the development of it for optimal empathic understanding are elaborated.
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