Originally in 1978, this important work, by one of the leading
European social theorists, is arguably the best introduction to the
hermeneutic tradition as a whole. It is designed to help students
of sociology and philosophy place the problems of "understanding
social science" in their historical and philosophical context. It
does so by presenting the major current in sociological thought as
responses to the challenge of hermeneutics. The idea that true
knowledge of social life can be attained only if human conduct is
seen as meaningful action whose meaning is accordingly grasped has
been presented as a discovery of recent sociology. In fact its
history is long and its connections plentiful, reaching beyond the
boundaries of sociology itself. Yet it is in sociology that the
hermeneutic tradition has attracted most interest but most
misinterpretation. The debate is in full swing and there is no
attempt to offer "correct" solutions - the emphasis instead is upon
revealing the strengths and weaknesses of each of the main
approaches. However it is Bauman's view that the theory of
understanding may achieve valid results only if it treats the
problem of understanding as an aspect of the ongoing process of
social life.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!