Demography in a new key

• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research 2003-12-01
• Series: Demographic Research
• Subjects: population theory
• Online Access: http://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol9/11/

The widespread opinion that demography is lacking in theory is based in part on a particular view of the nature of scientific theory, generally known as logical empiricism [or positivism]. A newer school of philosophy of science, the model-based view, provides a different perspective on demography, one that enhances its status as a scientific discipline. From this perspective, much of formal demography can be seen as a collection of substantive models of population dynamics [how populations and cohorts behave], in short, theoretical knowledge. And many theories in behavioural demography - often discarded as too old or too simplistic - can be seen as perfectly good scientific theory, useful for many purposes, although often in need of more rigorous statement.