July 23, 2009

Dr. Alfred Claassen, a professor emeritus of sociology at Fresno State, has published his first book, which examines the interrelationships of such human sciences as psychology, sociology and cultural studies with philosophy.

“An Inquiry into the Philosophical Foundations of the Human Sciences” (Peter Lang; $39.95) is the 14th book in the “San Francisco State University Series in Philosophy.”

In his foreword, Claassen writes that his book tries to untangle the multiple conclusions drawn from research in the human sciences. “Having studied an immense number of societies and aspects of the human experience, the human sciences maintain chaotic warehouses of disparate theory and findings,” he writes.

He contrasts his experience in human sciences with his observation of natural sciences, which he writes, “has been continuous and world transforming” as opposed to the human sciences’ “uneven and disappointing.”

Claassen, whose Ph.D. is from the University of Colorado, taught at Fresno State from 1969 until 2001. He now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area where he is working on other books and journal articles.