Meaning: This quote by Wilhelm Dilthey, a German historian and philosopher, encapsulates the essence of his approach to the social sciences. Dilthey is known for his work in hermeneutics, the theory and methodology of interpretation, and for his distinction between the natural and human sciences. His quote emphasizes the importance of understanding the systematic relations between the various social sciences and their foundation in socio-historical reality.

Dilthey's emphasis on socio-historical reality as the subject matter of the social sciences reflects his belief that human experience and behavior are shaped by historical and social factors. He argued that the social sciences should not seek to emulate the methods of the natural sciences, which focus on empirical observation and experimentation, but rather should develop their own unique methods for understanding the complexities of human societies and cultures.

In Dilthey's view, the social sciences encompass disciplines such as sociology, anthropology, psychology, history, and cultural studies, all of which are concerned with the study of human societies and their historical development. By taking socio-historical reality as their subject matter, these disciplines aim to uncover the underlying patterns and structures that shape human behavior and social phenomena.

Dilthey's reference to the systematic relations between the social sciences highlights the interconnectedness of these disciplines and the need to establish coherent frameworks for understanding and interpreting socio-historical reality. He believed that the social sciences should strive to develop systematic and rigorous methods of inquiry that allow for the meaningful interpretation and analysis of social phenomena.

Furthermore, Dilthey's mention of the foundation of the social sciences underscores the importance of establishing a solid theoretical and methodological basis for these disciplines. He argued that the foundation of the social sciences lies in the unique nature of human experience and historical development, and thus, the methods and theories of these disciplines should be tailored to capture the complexity and diversity of human societies.

Dilthey's work has had a profound influence on the development of the social sciences, particularly in the fields of sociology, anthropology, and cultural studies. His emphasis on the importance of understanding socio-historical reality and the systematic relations between the social sciences has shaped the way scholars approach the study of human societies and cultures.

In conclusion, Wilhelm Dilthey's quote encapsulates his belief in the importance of taking socio-historical reality as the subject matter of the social sciences and understanding the systematic relations between these disciplines. His work has had a lasting impact on the development of the social sciences, emphasizing the need for rigorous methods of inquiry and interpretation that are tailored to the complexities of human societies and historical development.