Critical Issues In Social Theory
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Author | : John K. Rhoads |
Publisher | : Penn State Press |
Total Pages | : 390 |
Release | : 1991 |
Genre | : Social Science |
ISBN | : 0271032871 |
Critical Issues in Social Theory is an analytical survey of persistent controversies that have shaped the field of sociology. It defines, clarifies, and proposes solutions to these &"critical issues&" through commentary on the writings of such influential social theorists as Hobbes, Marx, Durkheim, Weber, Mead, Merton, Parsons, and Schutz. Instead of being just another history, or another classification of theories, Rhoads's four-part model allows him to focus attention on issues that remain at the core of sociological theory today. First, Rhoads analyzes the controversy over positivism as the proper methodological model for the study of human society. Is there one science, of which sociology is a branch, or do the peculiarities of sociology's subject matter require a modification of the scientific method borrowed from the natural sciences? Rhoads next considers the relationship of individuals to society and its structures. Does society have a mode of existence distinct from its members, or is it merely an abstraction derived from the characteristics of individuals? Third, a discussion of social order raises the question of whether social order is the consequence of rules and their underlying moral values, or the product of continuous construction based on self-interest. Finally, the relative importance of consensus and conflict in social relationships is addressed. Is society better understood as a community united by beliefs, values, and rules, or is the social dynamic of continual conflict over beliefs, values, and rules more fundamental? In coming to grips with these issues, the author in some instances takes sides and in others arrives at a synthesis of diverse perspectives. In the final chapter he points to the limitations on the possibility of rational action that come to light in the clashes over these basic issues.
Author | : John K. Rhoads |
Publisher | : Penn State Press |
Total Pages | : 394 |
Release | : 2010-11-01 |
Genre | : Social Science |
ISBN | : 9780271040059 |
Critical Issues in Social Theory is an analytical survey of persistent controversies that have shaped the field of sociology. It defines, clarifies, and proposes solutions to these "critical issues" through commentary on the writings of such influential social theorists as Hobbes, Marx, Durkheim, Weber, Mead, Merton, Parsons, and Schutz. Instead of being just another history, or another classification of theories, Rhoads's four-part model allows him to focus attention on issues that remain at the core of sociological theory today. First, Rhoads analyzes the controversy over positivism as the proper methodological model for the study of human society. Is there one science, of which sociology is a branch, or do the peculiarities of sociology's subject matter require a modification of the scientific method borrowed from the natural sciences? Rhoads next considers the relationship of individuals to society and its structures. Does society have a mode of existence distinct from its members, or is it merely an abstraction derived from the characteristics of individuals? Third, a discussion of social order raises the question of whether social order is the consequence of rules and their underlying moral values, or the product of continuous construction based on self-interest. Finally, the relative importance of consensus and conflict in social relationships is addressed. Is society better understood as a community united by beliefs, values, and rules, or is the social dynamic of continual conflict over beliefs, values, and rules more fundamental? In coming to grips with these issues, the author in some instances takes sides and in others arrives at a synthesis of diverse perspectives. In the final chapter he points to the limitations on the possibility of rational action that come to light in the clashes over these basic issues.
Author | : Barbara Adam |
Publisher | : SAGE |
Total Pages | : 244 |
Release | : 2000-07-27 |
Genre | : Social Science |
ISBN | : 9780761964698 |
Risk society and beyond traces the evolution of Ulrich Beck's ideas as expressed in Risk Society (1992) and expands into previously unforeseen risk areas, such as genetics and cyberspace.
Author | : Raymond Allen Morrow |
Publisher | : SUNY Press |
Total Pages | : 540 |
Release | : 1995-03-09 |
Genre | : Education |
ISBN | : 9780791422526 |
This book summarizes and critiques theories of social and cultural reproduction as they relate to sociology of education.
Author | : James S. Coleman |
Publisher | : SAGE Publications, Incorporated |
Total Pages | : 264 |
Release | : 1992-08-11 |
Genre | : Philosophy |
ISBN | : |
Rational Choice Theory is one of the few general theories of how individuals, groups, organizations and social structures behave - its impact on sociological theorizing has been enormous. In this volume, advocates and critics present their views of the values and limitations of rational choice theory. Whether supporter or sceptic, sociologists and other social scientists will find themselves immersed in a creative discussion of the merits and difficulties of the model and its applicability to both macro and micro level social issues.
Author | : Thomas S. Popkewitz |
Publisher | : Psychology Press |
Total Pages | : 276 |
Release | : 1999 |
Genre | : Critical pedagogy |
ISBN | : 9780415922401 |
First Published in 1999. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.
Author | : Lucius T. Outlaw |
Publisher | : Rowman & Littlefield Publishers |
Total Pages | : 244 |
Release | : 2005-09-15 |
Genre | : Philosophy |
ISBN | : 0742575764 |
Examining the situations of African Americans in the U.S.A., Lucius Outlaw's essays illustrate over twenty years of work dedicated to articulating a 'critical theory of society' that would account for issues and limiting-factors affecting African-descended peoples in the U.S. Attempting to put politics aside, Outlaw writes from a non-partisan standpoint, in the hopes that the issues he raises in his essays will inspire improvement for the well-bring of African Americans and will also strengthen America's democracy. Outlaw envisions a democratic order that is not built upon racist projections of the past. Instead, he seeks in these essays a transformative social theory that would help create a truly democratic social order.
Author | : Alex Law |
Publisher | : SAGE Publications |
Total Pages | : 241 |
Release | : 2011-01-19 |
Genre | : Social Science |
ISBN | : 1847876021 |
This book's individual entries introduce, explain and contextualise the key topics within classical social theory. Definitions, summaries and key words are developed throughout with careful cross-referencing allowing students to move effortlessly between core ideas and themes. Each entry provides: ' Clear definitions ' Lucid accounts of key issues ' Up-to-date suggestions for further reading ' Informative cross-referencing Relevant, focused and accessible this book will provide students with an...
Author | : Patricia Hill Collins |
Publisher | : Duke University Press Books |
Total Pages | : 0 |
Release | : 2019-08-23 |
Genre | : Social Science |
ISBN | : 9781478005421 |
In Intersectionality as Critical Social Theory Patricia Hill Collins offers a set of analytical tools for those wishing to develop intersectionality's capability to theorize social inequality in ways that would facilitate social change. While intersectionality helps shed light on contemporary social issues, Collins notes that it has yet to reach its full potential as a critical social theory. She contends that for intersectionality to fully realize its power, its practitioners must critically reflect on its assumptions, epistemologies, and methods. She places intersectionality in dialog with several theoretical traditions—from the Frankfurt school to black feminist thought—to sharpen its definition and foreground its singular critical purchase, thereby providing a capacious interrogation into intersectionality's potential to reshape the world.
Author | : John Rex |
Publisher | : Routledge |
Total Pages | : 155 |
Release | : 2006-04-07 |
Genre | : Social Science |
ISBN | : 1134685904 |
This is Volume of VII twenty-two on a series on Social Theory and Methodology. Originally published in 1961, this book was written because of the author’s sense of the inadequacies of a sociological tradition dominated by empiricism and positivism. The tradition of empiricism leads to attempts to settle public issues by reference to crude ad hoc generalisations. So “right-wing” facts are refuted by “left-wing” facts and vice versa, and in the argument which ensues nothing becomes clear except the value-biasses which the authors seek desperately to conceal. The tradition of positivism on the other hand fails in refusing to interpret observed correlations of fact except in terms of the natural sciences. So the sociologist often appears to have derived little more insight through his precise methods than the untutored layman is able to do through trusting to intuition and common-sense.