The Sociological Ambition: Elementary Forms of Social and Moral Life (Theory, Culture & Society) (Published in association with Theory, Culture & Society) [Abridged] [Paperback]

Chris Shilling (Author), Philip A Mellor (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 19, 2001 | ISBN-10: 0761965491 | ISBN-13: 978-0761965497 | Edition: 1

This book situates sociology in its historical, philosophical and theological contexts and examines how the founders of the discipline developed competing analyses of the processes elementary to social and moral life through their distinctive sociological contributions. Surveying a range of sociological analyses from Comte to feminism, postmodernism and rational choice theory, this book examines the various attempts that have been made to reconstruct the discipline over the last century, and the challenges facing it today. Individual chapters examine `Human Sociology', `Sacred Sociology', `Tragic Sociology', `Heroic Sociology' and `Normative Sociology'. The book moves on to discuss post-classical thought, and the attempted reconstruction o

Editorial Reviews

Review

'The Sociological Ambition is a superb book... It is beautifully written, expertly edited and renders complex and original ideas entirely accessible... This is a modern classic' -Journal of Contemporary Religion

`If sociology is to retain a sophisticated rationality and an ultimate concern for social well being, plus a commitment to combining scholarly protocols with moral obligations then The Sociological Ambition will be one of its key works' - Auto/Biography 2001

`The Sociological Ambition can be read both as a first-rate account of the sociological enterprise from its inception and as a critical evaluation of sociology today... Shilling and Mellor challenge contemporary sociology to regain its integral vision and its moral purpose. Conceived as a provocative and constructive intervention this work nonetheless can be seen as a chilling indictment' - Mike Gane, University of Loughborough

`The Sociological Ambition is a refreshing, innovative and very well written addition to social theory, which will also serve as an important new text for those who teach courses in the field' - George Ritzer, University of Maryland

Product Details

• Paperback: 238 pages
• Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd; 1 edition (October 19, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761965491
• ISBN-13: 978-0761965497
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,065,237 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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