The logic of interdisciplinary studies

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Abstract
Michael Lipton is correct that there is an important place in development studies for interdisciplinary studies. He presents however only one aspect of the case, and by the illogical rejection of an argument which, although ambiguous, leads in the right direction, he misses an important additional argument for interdisciplinary studies. There are a number of arguments for interdisciplinary studies within the social sciences; the strongest is based on the prevalence in less‐developed countries a multiplex pattern of inter‐personal relationships, typically within a local context, which often invalidate traditional assumptions about the objectives of actors in certain situations. There is a strong case for interdisciplinary studies embracing the social sciences and the earth and medical sciences respectively. It is unlikely that interdisciplinary studies will lead to the emergence of a new pattern of ‘nearly‐independent’ single‐discipline studies.

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