Sociology and the twilight of man : homocentrism and discourse in sociological theory

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Title:

Author:

Lemert, Charles C., 1937-

ISBN:

9780809308514

Personal Author:

Lemert, Charles C., 1937-

Publication Information:

Carbondale : Southern Illinois University Press, c1979.

Physical Description:

xiii, 260 p. ; 24 cm.

Series:

Perspectives in sociology

Series Title:

Perspectives in sociology

General Note:

Includes index.

Contents:

Homocentrism and sociological discourse -- Axiomatic explanation: George Homans -- Theory constructionism: Hubert Blalock -- Analytic realism: Talcott Parsons -- Symbolic interactionism: Herbert Blumer -- Phenomenological sociology: Schutz/Berger/Luckmann -- Ethnomethodology: Aaron Cicourel -- Critical theory: Juergen Habermas -- Homocentric sociology in the twilight.

Subject Term:

Sociology.

Electronic Access:

Contributor biographical information http://www.loc.gov/catdir/enhancements/fy0801/78017146-b.html
Publisher description http://www.loc.gov/catdir/enhancements/fy0801/78017146-d.html

Copies:

Available:*

Library	Material Type	Item Barcode	Shelf Number	Copy	Status
Searching... 1:IIEMSA	1:GEN-BOOK	33168023689678	301 L552S 1979	1	Searching... Unknown

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Summary

A critique of modern sociological theory, this brilliant new work rather than announcing the twilight of man accepts the event both as an intellectual conclusion and an empirical fact, and proceeds systematically to examine the alternatives beyond the Weber-Durkheim-Parsons episteme.

Addressing himselfto the issues of pluralism in sociological theory, Lemert rigorously examines representative writings of important theorists in America and Europe, including the writings of Homans (Lexical Explanation), Blalock (Theory Constructionism), Parsons (Analytic Realism), Blumer (Symbolic Interactionism), Schutz, Berger, Luckmann (Phenomenology), Cicourel (Ethnomethology), and Habermas (Critical Theory). Lemert challenges the celebrated pluralism hypothesis in his argument that recent sociological theory is not so pluralistic after all and has not made particular use of available styles of thinking.

Sociology and the Twilight of Man is an important contribution to the modern sociological enterprise for several reasons. First, it raises basic questions about the progress made beyond earlier theoretical writings. Second, it questions the explanatory force of current theories. Third, it questions whether contemporary theory can continue to develop in a meaningful way without a profound reexamination of its assumptions and premises. And fourth, it demonstrates the value of discursive analysis to theoretical studies. Lemert's critique could lead to fundamental revisions of sociologists' perception of their discipline.