In the 20th century, planning evolved from a design-based activity to a scientific one. Planning, the only legitimate voice in applied social science, now seeks to free itself from the "autistic" vocabulary of positivism and neo-classical economics. To further this quest, author Gerald A. Gutenschwager examines the philosophical basis for alternative paradigms currently used in social science and suggests new approaches to a more humanistic theory of planning.

The primary goal of this book is to give philosophical depth to planning discourse, not only by examining its scientific pedigree, but also by seeking to extend its horizons into more humanistic directions, by touching upon sociodramatic and even social psychological questions largely unattended in this discourse.