Abstract

Abstract This paper considers the notion of ?social skills? from the viewpoint of analytic philosophy. The authors note first prejudices for and against an approach to human problems in terms of identificable ?skills?. They then stipulate a definition of ?social skills? in terms of techniques ('knowing how'), and point to other essential aspects of change and treatment which fall outside this definition (in particular, the aspects of attitude or desire and judgement). Some generalisations are attempted relevant to the question of what problems are likely to yield to a ?social skills? approach, and what problems are likely to go deeper than such an approach can cure. Attention is drawn to the necessity of defining what is to count as success in such training, and the logical limits of ?social skills? training are clarified