Living Theory
The Application of Classical Social Theory to Contemporary Life
Published on 2. August 1999
Book
Paperback/Softback
161 pages
978-0-205-27775-9 (ISBN)
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Description
Living Theory is provocative and current in the issues it addresses. Although the book presents substantial information on the core content of classical social theories, its focus is on the application of theoretical arguments to social distance and separation in the U.S. Hurst chose Marx, Durkheim, Simmel, and Weber as classical representatives. Students are more likely to become interested in social theory if they can understand its relevance to what's happening in society today. This engaging new text does just that!
Living Theory analyzes major features of modern society from the classical theory point of view, and suggests how postmodern qualities might be accounted for by this theory. Chapters focus on specific issues such as the conflict between the rights of individuals and their obligations to society, the Internet's influence on transforming private lives into public information, gated communities and racial ghettos, political corruption, treating individuals as commodities in the world of beauty, entertainment and medicine, and the growing discrepancies in economic resources between individuals and groups.
Living Theory analyzes major features of modern society from the classical theory point of view, and suggests how postmodern qualities might be accounted for by this theory. Chapters focus on specific issues such as the conflict between the rights of individuals and their obligations to society, the Internet's influence on transforming private lives into public information, gated communities and racial ghettos, political corruption, treating individuals as commodities in the world of beauty, entertainment and medicine, and the growing discrepancies in economic resources between individuals and groups.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Inc
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 150 mm
Width: 228 mm
Thickness: 9 mm
Weight
227 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-205-27775-9 (9780205277759)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Content
Each chapter begins with "Introduction" and concludes with "Conclusion" and/or "Questions to Ponder."
Preface.
1.The Contemporary Relevance of Old Theories.
Organization of the Book.
Symptoms of Strain and Change.
The Value of Theory and Theories of Value.
The Relevance of Theories Past: A Primer on Their Perspectives.
2.The Janus-Faced Nature of Society.
Modern Western Society.
The Postmodern Element.
Forces of Integration and Disintegration.
Society's Janus Face.
3.Private Lives and Public Connections.
The Meaning of the Natural Self.
The Individual and the Community: A Delicate Balance.
The Public Eye in the Private Life.
Separation and Suicide.
4.Separatism and Status.
The Arrangement of Space.
Gated Communities.
Racial Ghettos.
5.The Decline of Civility: Cynicism, Corruption, and Other Nastiness.
Symptoms of an Uncivil Society.
Unraveling the Roots of Political Corruption.
The Misanthropic Tendency.
6.Commodification and the Value of Human Life.
The Superficial Self.
People Bought and Sold: The World of Celebrities.
The Value of Human Life.
7.The Polarization of Economic Resources.
Inside the U.S. Class Structure.
Understanding Processes of Economic Inequality.
Economic Inequality between Status Groups.
Accounting for Inequality between Groups.
A Summing Up.
Glossary of Classical Theoretical Terms.
Notes.
Preface.
1.The Contemporary Relevance of Old Theories.
Organization of the Book.
Symptoms of Strain and Change.
The Value of Theory and Theories of Value.
The Relevance of Theories Past: A Primer on Their Perspectives.
2.The Janus-Faced Nature of Society.
Modern Western Society.
The Postmodern Element.
Forces of Integration and Disintegration.
Society's Janus Face.
3.Private Lives and Public Connections.
The Meaning of the Natural Self.
The Individual and the Community: A Delicate Balance.
The Public Eye in the Private Life.
Separation and Suicide.
4.Separatism and Status.
The Arrangement of Space.
Gated Communities.
Racial Ghettos.
5.The Decline of Civility: Cynicism, Corruption, and Other Nastiness.
Symptoms of an Uncivil Society.
Unraveling the Roots of Political Corruption.
The Misanthropic Tendency.
6.Commodification and the Value of Human Life.
The Superficial Self.
People Bought and Sold: The World of Celebrities.
The Value of Human Life.
7.The Polarization of Economic Resources.
Inside the U.S. Class Structure.
Understanding Processes of Economic Inequality.
Economic Inequality between Status Groups.
Accounting for Inequality between Groups.
A Summing Up.
Glossary of Classical Theoretical Terms.
Notes.