Provides an introduction to major philosophical concepts, issues and debates raised by the social sciences. This book examines key conceptual and methodological questions and illustrates how they shape the practice of research, the interpretation of findings and theory formulation in such disciplines as economics, political science and psychology.

Why do we take risks? How does our environment influence us with regards to risks? How do biological and psychological mechanisms interact? How can theoretical works on risk-taking generate effective educational and prevention campaigns? Providing a synthesis of knowledge of risk in social and human sciences, this book answers these questions.