Understanding Classical Sociology / Edition 2

by John Hughes, Wes Sharrock, Peter J Martin

Overview

Attempting to counter the predominance of postmodern thinking in the field of sociology, three sociology scholars examine the intellectual lives of some of the most influential thinkers in the sociological tradition: Marx, Weber, and Durkheim. They include biographical and social background material, as well as detailed coverage of each thinker's intellectual development, contributions, and intellectual legacy. The conclusion discusses some of the more recent reinterpretations of Marx, Weber, and Durkheim in light of the concerns of contemporary social thought, including changes in the nature of modern societies and their influence on social thought, and the relation of the classic theories to contemporary postmodern concerns. First published in 1995, with numerous subsequent reprints. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780761954668
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	04/24/2003
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	246
Product dimensions:	6.96(w) x 9.80(h) x 0.80(d)

Table of Contents

Introduction
Sociology's Intellectual Character
Conclusion
Select Bibliography and Further Reading
Karl Marx
Biography and Social Background
Early Years: The Critique of Hegel's Idealism
Turning Hegel the Right Way Up
The Critique of Political Economy
The Partnership with Engels
The Materialist Conception of History
The Priority of Society
The Material Basis of Social Organisation
Economic Production and Social Organisation
The Shaping of Consciousness
The Sources of Social Change
The Nature of Social Change
Social Revolution
The Economic Sources of Social Change
Issues of Interpretation
Changes in the Nature of Capitalism
Conclusion: Marx's Legacy
Select Bibliography and Further Reading
Max Weber
The Early Career
Weber and Modern Capitalism
The Organisation of Society
Capitalism, Rationality and Social Change
The Methodological Weber
The Legacy
Select Bibliography and Further Reading
Emile Durkheim
The Study of Social Action
The Reality of Society
The Unity of Society
Autonomy and Constraint
The Solidarity of Society
Thought and Society
The Diagnosis of Society
The Aftermath
Select Bibliography and Further Reading
Conclusion
Towards a Postmodern Marx?
The Durkheimian Legacy
Which Weber?
Concluding Remarks