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In this collection, a leading sociologist brings his distinctive
method of social criticism to bear on some of the most significant
ideas, political and social events, and thinkers of the late
twentieth century. Of the seventeen essays, two are published for
the first time, and several of the previously published essays have
been expanded and updated for this volume.
In the first section, the author critiques several concepts that
have figured prominently in political-ideological
controversies--capitalism, rationality, totalitarianism, power,
alienation, left and right, and cultural
relativism/multiculturalism. He considers their origins, historical
shifts in their meaning and the myths surrounding them, and their
subtle resonance beyond their formal definitions.
The second section highlights the author's lifelong interest in the
relation of intellectuals to social classes and institutions. The
author critically assesses the notion of a "New Class" in which
intellectuals have been alleged to play a prominent role, considers
the implications for class structure of the increasing centering of
intellectual life in the university, and assesses the relation of
sociology to professional jargon. The final essays in this section
discuss four influential thinkers: David Riesman, Daniel Bell,
Christopher Lasch, and Allan Bloom. The book closes with an
autobiographical statement centered on the author's
intellectual-political life.
The chapters in this volume represent some of Dennis Wrong's best
and most enduring essays. Initially published as Skeptical
Sociology, this collection displays his ability to write
compellingly for general intellectual audiences as well as for
academic sociologists. The book is divided into sections that
represent Wrong's major areas of interest and investigation: "Human
Nature and the Perspective of Sociology," "Social Stratification
and Inequality," and "Power and Politics." Each section is preceded
by a short introduction that places the articles in context and
elaborates and often sheds new light on the contents. The essays in
the first section were written with polemical intent, directed
against the assumptions of academic sociology that prevailed in an
earlier period. Part two calls attention to the neglect by
functionalists of power, group conflict, and historical change;
Wrong shows that failure to consider them made functional theories
of stratification especially vulnerable. The third section is more
heterogeneous in subject and theme than the others; all the essays
in it touch in some way on power or politics. Included in this
volume is Wrong's celebrated and much-quoted article "The
Oversocialized Conception of Man in Modern Sociology." Other
significant essays reveal the author's views on many timely topics
of sociological concern, such as the quests for "community" and for
"identity"; the Freudian, Marxian, and Weberian heritages in
sociology; social class in America; meritocracy; a theory of
democratic politics; humanist, positivist, and functionalist
perspectives; and the sociology of the future. The Oversocialized
Conception of Man is an indispensable volume for sociologists,
political theorists, and historians. Dennis H. Wrong is emeritus
professor of sociology at New York University. He is the author of
The Problem of Order, Population and Society, Class Fertility
Trends in Western Nations, Power: Its Forms, Bases, and Uses (also
published by Transaction), and The Modern Condition (forthcoming).
The chapters in this volume represent some of Dennis Wrong's best
and most enduring essays. Initially published as "Skeptical
Sociology, " this collection displays his ability to write
compellingly for general intellectual audiences as well as for
academic sociologists. The book is divided into sections that
represent Wrong's major areas of interest and investigation: "Human
Nature and the Perspective of Sociology," "Social Stratification
and Inequality," and "Power and Politics." Each section is preceded
by a short introduction that places the articles in context and
elaborates and often sheds new light on the contents.
The essays in the first section were written with polemical
intent, directed against the assumptions of academic sociology that
prevailed in an earlier period. Part two calls attention to the
neglect by functionalists of power, group conflict, and historical
change; Wrong shows that failure to consider them made functional
theories of stratification especially vulnerable. The third section
is more heterogeneous in subject and theme than the others; all the
essays in it touch in some way on power or politics.
Included in this volume is Wrong's celebrated and much-quoted
article "The Oversocialized Conception of Man in Modern Sociology."
Other significant essays reveal the author's views on many timely
topics of sociological concern, such as the quests for "community"
and for "identity"; the Freudian, Marxian, and Weberian heritages
in sociology; social class in America; meritocracy; a theory of
democratic politics; humanist, positivist, and functionalist
perspectives; and the sociology of the future. "The Oversocialized
Conception of Man" is an indispensable volume for sociologists,
political theorists, and historians.
"Dennis H. Wrong" is emeritus professor of sociology at New York
University. He is the author of "The Problem of Order, Population
and Society, Class Fertility Trends in Western Nations, Power: Its
Forms, Bases, and Uses (also published by Transaction), and The
Modern Condition (forthcoming).
In this collection, a leading sociologist brings his distinctive
method of social criticism to bear on some of the most significant
ideas, political and social events, and thinkers of the late
twentieth century. Of the seventeen essays, two are published for
the first time, and several of the previously published essays have
been expanded and updated for this volume.
In the first section, the author critiques several concepts that
have figured prominently in political-ideological
controversies--capitalism, rationality, totalitarianism, power,
alienation, left and right, and cultural
relativism/multiculturalism. He considers their origins, historical
shifts in their meaning and the myths surrounding them, and their
subtle resonance beyond their formal definitions.
The second section highlights the author's lifelong interest in the
relation of intellectuals to social classes and institutions. The
author critically assesses the notion of a "New Class" in which
intellectuals have been alleged to play a prominent role, considers
the implications for class structure of the increasing centering of
intellectual life in the university, and assesses the relation of
sociology to professional jargon. The final essays in this section
discuss four influential thinkers: David Riesman, Daniel Bell,
Christopher Lasch, and Allan Bloom. The book closes with an
autobiographical statement centered on the author's
intellectual-political life.
The Communitarian Movement asserts that America and other Western
societies overemphasize individual rights and underemphasize
collective responsibilities. In the debate between the importance
of individual and community rights The New Golden Rule by Amitai
Etzioni, one of the movement's founders, has emerged at the
theoretical cutting edge of Commitarianism's challenge. This
anthology of original essays by prominent political scientists,
philosophers, and sociologists systematically advances our
understanding of the movement's agenda. Using The New Golden Rule
as the guidepost for organizing 'conversations, ' the essays are
structured around key questions that spring from Communitarian
tenets. Although Amitai Etzioni's book provides the collection's
framework, contributors have criticized, modified, or augmented his
positions as they saw fit.
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