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In Defence of Sociology

Essays, Interpretations and Rejoinders
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Anthony Giddens explores the relevance and future of sociology, challenging views that the discipline has lost its way in contemporary culture. Tracing sociology from its roots with Auguste Comte, through figures like Durkheim, Parsons and Habermas, Giddens examines how it remains central within the social sciences. The book links sociological thought to current political and social theory, defending its ongoing importance.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for undergraduates and professionals in sociology, anthropology, and political science seeking a thoughtful defence and overview of sociological theory and practice.

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Looking both to the past of sociology and the diversity of intellectual trends found in the present-day, the book explores many aspects of the sociological heritage. Comte, Durkheim, Parsons, Marshall and Habermas are among the figures covered.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Is there a future for sociology? To many, sociology seems to have lost its way. Born of the ideas of Auguste Comte in the nineteenth century, sociology established itself as 'the science of modernity', linked to a progressive view of history. Yet today the idea of progress has more or less collapsed; with its demise, some say, sociological thought has moved to the margins of contemporary intellectual culture.

In In Defence of Sociology, the author challenges such an interpretation, showing that sociology continues to hold a central position within the social sciences. Looking both to the past of sociology and the diversity of intellectual trends found in the present day, Giddens explores many aspects of the sociological heritage. Comte, Durkheim, Parsons, Marshall, and Habermas are among the figures covered. Giddens also connects sociological work directly to current political issues and places the discipline of sociology in the context of broad questions of social and political theory.

This book will be of interest to undergraduates and professionals in the fields of sociology, anthropology and political science.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Times Higher Education Supplement calls it "excellently understandable." The Times Literary Supplement praises it as "a powerful restatement" of sociology's role today. The Australian highlights it as "reflective sociological theorising at its finest," and Thesis Eleven notes the "erudition and enormous breadth of analysis" presented in an accessible style.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780745617626

Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 09 November 1996

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Polity Press

Audience: Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 26.0mm

Width: 155.0mm

Height: 229.0mm

Weight: 567g

Pages: 296

About the Author

Anthony Giddens is a British sociologist who is known for his theory of structuration and his holistic view of modern societies.

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