THEORIZING CLASSICAL SOCIOLOGY

Erscheinungsjahr 1999
ISBN: 978-0-335-23263-5
Verlag: Open University Press

Buch, Englisch

- How did classical sociology emerge and take shape? - What is the significance of classical sociology for current theoretical debates? - How can the classical tradition in social theory inform our understanding of the crisis of modernity?Social theory has been formed through elaboration and critique of the classical tradition, and this introductory volume illuminates current theoretical terrain by examining major classical theories - of Saint-Simon, Comte, Marx, Durkheim, Dilthey, Tonnies, Simmel and Weber - highlighting recurring themes and debates. It explains how classical sociology emerged through a debate with the Enlightenment, in which the concept of the 'social' took shape. This was constructed around various themes emphasizing contrasting components of social life - including material, cultural, rational and moral factors. These divergent theorizations set the scene for the play of theoretical oppositions that characterize much subsequent theoretical dispute. Along with these debates there were questions about the very identity of sociology, which in turn relate to a core issue in the discipline - grasping the crisis of modernity.This authoritative text introduces the key issues of classical sociology to undergraduates, making use of student-friendly features such as clear summaries, further reading and a glossary. It lays the foundations for an understanding of contemporary discussion, and will also be recognized at the postgraduate level as a key reference in the field.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Ray, Larry J

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Soziologie Allgemein
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politikwissenschaft Allgemein Politische Theorie, Politische Philosophie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Preface and acknowledgements
Dimensions of the social
an introduction
Enlightenment, reason and science
Comtean positivism and sociology
Reason's revolt thunders
Durkheim, differentiation and morality
Critiques of positivism
German critiques of capitalism
Max Weber
the triumph of reason?
In conclusion
prospect and retrospect
Glossary
Bibliography
Index.

Über Autor(innen)

Larry Ray is Professor of Sociology at the University of Kent. His publications include Rethinking Critical Theory (Sage, 1993), Social Theory and the Crisis of State Socialism (Edward Elgar, 1996), and he is co-editor (with Michael Reed) of Organizing Modernity: New Weberian Perspectives on Work and Organization (Routledge, 1994) and (with Andrew Sayer) of Culture and Economy After the Cultural Turn (Sage, 1999).