Sociological Theory

Description

This text introduces students to the lives, times, and ideas of twelve people who have had the greatest influence on the development of sociology. Each theorist is discussed in separate chapters, which are organized to demonstrate how social theory is the product of individuals responding to the issues and concerns of their times. The theorists are examined in light of their personal circumstances and the social and intellectual climate in which they lived; their ideas about society and their methodologies, and the significance of their work as perceived by subsequent generations.

Every chapter in this new edition has been updated to incorporate new scholarship, especially those on Durkheim and Marx. Also, the Web Resources Appendix has been thoroughly updated.

• Both authors are prominent scholars of sociological theory.

• Offers a balanced treatment of all the major classical theorists.

• Puts classical sociological theory into historical, social, and cultural context to show how theorists were responding to the issues and concerns of their time.

• Includes annotated bibliographies, biographical sketches, and glossaries for each theorist covered.

• The concluding chapter offers an evaluation of the achievements and limitations of classical theory, and of the relevance of classical theory in a postmodern age.

• Addresses issues of gender, race, and class on the development of classical theory in Chapter 1.

• Divides the theories discussed into Positivism/Interpretive theory and Critical theory throughout in order to help students understand the diversity of theoretical perspectives.

• Now published in paperback, at a lower price than previous editions.

• Every chapter has been updated to incorporate new scholarship, especially the ones on Durkheim and Marx.

• The appendix on Web resources for the study of sociological theory has been thoroughly updated.

• This edition includes a PowerPoint presentation with lecture outlines.

This text provides a comprehensive examination of classical sociological theory by introducing students to the life, times, and ideas of the figures who have had the greatest influence on the development of the field.

Each chapter focuses on one theorist and his ideas, organized into a social and historical perspective. Students will enjoy reading the background information on each theorist covered in the book. These include such interesting highlights as Comte’s days in military school, the death of Durkheim’s son in World War I, Spencer’s inability to commit to marriage, and Hegel’s illegitimate son. Taking a critical and reflexive approach, the text also discusses how classical theory affects sociology today.

1. Ideology, History, and Classical Sociological Theory.

The Rise of Sociology.

Sociology as Science and as Value-Orienting Critique.

The Institutionalization of Sociology.

Enlightenment Philosophy and Classical Sociological Theory.

Social Evolutionism and Classical Sociological Theory.

Sociology and Problems of Modernity.

France: Revolution and Collectivism.

Germany: Disunity and Idealism.

Italy: City-States and Machiavellianism.

Britain: Industrialization and Utilitarianism.

The United States: Expansion and Voluntarism.

The Influence of Class, Race, and Gender on Classical Sociological Thought.

2. The Nature and Types of Sociological Theory.

Theory and Social Life.

Positivism.

Interpretive Theory.

Critical Theory.

Sociology and the Causality of Fate.

Concluding Remarks.

3. (Isidore) Auguste Marie François-Xavier Comte.

Background.

Ideas.

Significance.

4. (David) Emile Durkheim.

Background.

Ideas.

Significance.

5. Herbert Spencer.

Background.

Ideas.

Significance.

6. Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel.

Background.

Ideas.

Significance.

7. Karl Marx.

Background.

Ideas.

Significance.

8. Max Weber.

Background.

Ideas.

Significance.

9. Georg Simmel.

Background.

Ideas.

Significance.

10. Sigmund Freud.

Background.

Ideas.

Significance.

11. Vilfredo Pareto.

Background.

Ideas.

Significance.

12. Thorstein Bunde Veblen.

Background.

Ideas.

Significance.

13. George Herbert Mead.

Background.

Ideas.

Significance.

14. Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche.

Background.

Ideas.

Significance.

15. The Paradoxical Failure of Classical Sociological Theory: A Concluding Essay.

Classical Sociological Theory: The Heritage.

The Contemporary Appropriation of Classical Theory.

Classical Sociological Theory and Contemporary Academic Sociology.

Sociology and Postmodernity.

Concluding Remarks.

Appendix: Classical Theory on the Web.
Name Index.

This comprehensive examination of classical sociological theory introduces readers to the life, times, and ideas of the figures who have had the greatest influence on the development of the field. Readers will enjoy the background information on each theorist covered in the book, including such interesting highlights as Comte’s days in military school, the death of Durkheim’s son in World War I, Spencer’s inability to commit to marriage, and Hegel’s illegitimate son. Taking a critical and reflexive approach, Sociologcal Theory also discusses how classical theory affects sociology today.