The Reality of Knowledge
Towards a Critical Realist Sociology of Knowledge
Published on 19. February 2026
198 pages
978-1-040-72058-5 (ISBN)
Description
This book proposes a new approach to the sociology of knowledge, providing a cross-section of some of the major theories that have influenced and continue to influence the field.
Through a series of engagements with the history of the discipline, it brings a critical realist perspective to bear on key themes within the sociology of knowledge. Moving away from the notion of critical realism as an under-labourer for the social and human sciences, it seeks to affirm a more fully sociological account of knowledge and as such, emphasises its social meaning. In addition, the book presents an account of the under-appreciated convergence between critical realism and Norbert Elias's approach to the sociology of knowledge.
This book will appeal to scholars and students of sociology and social theory with interests in the sociology of knowledge and critical realist thought.
Through a series of engagements with the history of the discipline, it brings a critical realist perspective to bear on key themes within the sociology of knowledge. Moving away from the notion of critical realism as an under-labourer for the social and human sciences, it seeks to affirm a more fully sociological account of knowledge and as such, emphasises its social meaning. In addition, the book presents an account of the under-appreciated convergence between critical realism and Norbert Elias's approach to the sociology of knowledge.
This book will appeal to scholars and students of sociology and social theory with interests in the sociology of knowledge and critical realist thought.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
Reflowable
Illustrations
2 Tables, black and white; 6 Line drawings, black and white; 6 Illustrations, black and white
File size
1,39 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-040-72058-5 (9781040720585)
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
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
approx. 02/2026
1st Edition
Routledge
€64.30
Not yet published
Book
approx. 02/2026
1st Edition
Routledge
€211.00
Not yet published
Person
Philip D. Walsh is Associate Professor of Sociology and of Social and Political Thought at York University, Toronto. He is the author of Arendt Contra Sociology: Theory, Society and its Science and Skepticism, Modernity and Critical Theory.
Content
Introduction 1. Knowledge and the Sociology of Knowledge 2. A Critical Realist Approach to Knowledge 3. Social cognition and the origin of concepts in Emile Durkheim's Sociology of Knowledge 4. Max Weber and the Sociology of Knowledge: Institutions, Values and Knowledgeability 5. Phenomenology and Everyday Knowledge 6. The Social Ontology of Everyday Knowledge 7. Norbert Elias and the Sociology of Knowledge 8. Processes and Persons in Norbert Elias's Sociology of Knowledge Conclusion
