This work looks into how, why, and when people pursue things in
life that they desire, those that make their existence attractive
and worth living. Robert A. Stebbins calls this "Positive
Sociology," the study of what people do to organize their lives
such that they become substantially rewarding, satisfying, and
fulfilling. Western society has many challenges: crime, drug
addiction, urban pollution, daily stress, domestic violence, and
overpopulation. Significant levels of success in avoiding these
problems brings a noticeable measure of tranquility, but it does
not necessarily generate a positive life.
Personal Decisions in the Public Square draws upon, in large
part, the sociology of leisure, a "happy science." Among the basic
concepts in the sociology of leisure are activity and human agency.
The centrality of positive activity is one of its hallmarks and
separates it from other social science specialties. Stebbins's
positive sociology centers on conceptual roots found in the
"serious leisure" perspective. This theoretical framework
synthesizes three main forms of leisure (serious, casual, and
project-based) while showing their distinctive features,
similarities, and interrelationships. Positive sociology also
considers two other domains of life: work and non-work
obligations.
This new approach focuses on the pursuit of "that which makes
life worth living." Stebbins explores goals that are important to
all people, such as negotiating the right work/family or
obligation/leisure balance and the tricky relationship between
money and happiness. Research scientists or the general public may
find the ideas presented in this volume help them better understand
and negotiate situations, by showing how to approach them in a
positive way rather than as "problems" that need to be solved.
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