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Marx’s Experiments and Microscopes
In Marx’s Experiments and Microscopes: Modes of Production, Religion, and the Method of Successive Abstractions, Paul B. Paolucci examines how Marx brought conventional scientific practice together with dialectical reason to produce his unique approach to sociological research. Though scholars often interpret his work through either a dialectical framework or as an aspirant scientific contender, less common are demonstrations of how Marx brought these two forms of inquiry together in ways as familiar to the conventional scientist as they are to the experienced Marxian scholar. The book elaborates on how Marx used a method successive abstractions in his study of modes of production as well as how to apply that method to studies in political economy and the sociology of religion.
Marx's Scientific Dialectics
While Karl Marx's ideas remain influential in the social sciences, there is considerable disagreement and debate on the methodological principles that inform his work. Marx often aligned himself with both "scientific" and "dialectical" principles, at least once referring to his method as a "scientific dialectic," suggesting he believed dialectical reason could be incorporated into scientific method. By debunking several misconceptions about Marx’s work and examining how he brought scientific methods to bear on his general sociological thinking, his materialist historical perspective, and within his political economy, this book brings new insight to the methodological principles that animate Marx’s writings. What emerges from such a perspective is an approach to sociological inquiry that remains vital and useful for contemporary research on capitalist society and its possible futures.
Marx and the Politics of Abstraction
Through examining Marx's methods of critique and abstraction, this book presents a series of problems in conventional social thought and the alternatives Marx's approach poses. It demonstrates how sound social science abstraction cannot but have political, often radical, implications.
PLATO: THE WORLD OF IDEAS
Plato, one of the most influential philosophers in history, formulated a theory that transformed our understanding of reality, knowledge, and politics: the Theory of Forms. In this essay, David Sandua delves deeply into Platonic thought, presenting a clear and accessible view of its fundamental concepts. From the distinction between the sensory and the intelligible world to the Allegory of the Cave, the concept of the Good, and the idea of the philosopher-king, this book breaks down the key aspects of Plato’s philosophy and its impact on Western thought. Through a detailed analysis, the author not only reviews Socrates' influence and the dialectical method in Plato’s work but also contra...
Acquiring Modernity
In Acquiring Modernity, Paul B. Paolucci, updating classical theory, examines the nature of modern society. Investigated from a sociological perspective but written in accessible everyday language, this book provides a multifaceted account of what makes modern society what it is, from its historical roots to its current conditions. Neither traditional classroom text nor a work of detailed erudition for the specialist few, Acquiring Modernity draws on material from known historical events, scholarly research, and recent global developments to tell modernity’s story through topics such as the modern classes, religious practice, relations of gender and race, politics, environmental issues, and economic crises. Valuable reading for anyone interested in understanding contemporary life and society.
Manifesto of the Critical Theory of Society and Religion (3 vols.)
The Manifesto develops further the Critical Theory of Religion intrinsic to the Critical Theory of Society of the Frankfurt School into a new paradigm of the Psychology, Sociology, Philosophy and Theology of Religion. Its central theme is the theodicy problem. The Manifesto approaches this theme in the framework of comparative religion and critical political theology in a narrative and discursive fashion. In search of a solution to the theodicy problem, the Manifesto explores, trends in civil society toward Alternative Future I (the Totally Administered Society), Alternative Future II (the Militarized Society), and Alternative Future III (the Reconciled Society) in the horizon of the longing for the Wholly Other as perfect justice and unconditional love. Toward that goal it relies on both the critical theory of society as developed by Max Horkheimer, Ernst Bloch, Walter Benjamin, Theodor W. Adorno, and others, and on the new political theology of Johannes B. Metz, Helmut Peukert, and Edmund Arens.
Crisis, Politics and Critical Sociology
As the first decade of the 21st century comes to a close, the world has entered a sustained period of crisis. In order to understand the forces that created our current social world, we need the tools provided by a critical sociology. This volume draws upon the work of contemporary critical sociologists searching for the roots of our present social and economic problems. Both prominent figures and emerging voices in sociology come together to offer insights into our present dilemmas from a critical perspective. The questions they ask and attempt to answer include: What is critical sociology? What is the significance of the new Obama administration? What tools do post-structuralism, postmodernism, feminism, and new forms of social theory offer critical discourse?
Social Change, Resistance and Social Practices
"This collection of works by critical sociologists of various nationalities focuses on cutting-edge approaches to conflict-driven social change. By emphasizing the role played by contemporary social movements such as environmentalists, migrant organizations, world social forum activists and others, these studies grapple with diverse forms of organized resistance in the 21st century. From homeless peoples displaced by Hurricane Katrina to young Muslim women refusing to shun their veils in French schools, the logic of a new generation of protest is deciphered with an eye to learning from as well as informing new social forces demanding progressive change. The result is an affirmation of the continuing relevance of critical sociology in analyzing key socialcontradictions in the United States, Mexico, and beyond"--P. [4] of cover.
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The Future of Religion
In the midst of the increasing antagonism between religion and secularity, the sacred and the profane, faith and reason – currently described in terms of “the clash of civilizations” – is religion any longer relevant or meaningful in the globalizing development of modern subjectivity, inter-subjectivity, family, society, state and history? If so, how and to what end? In the socio-historical context of the highly secular, neo-liberal/neo-conservative globalization movement, the question of the social meaning and relevancy of religion has entered directly into the contemporary discourse on the future of humanity. This book gives expression to the research of international scholars as they wrestled with these issues during the Future of Religion courses held at the Inter-university Center in Dubrovnik, Croatia from 2001-2005. Contributors include: Aleksandra Baša, Reimon Bachika, Aleš Črnič, Anja Finger, Helmut Fritzsche, Denis Janz, Hans-Herbert Kögler, Werner Krieglstein, Mislav Kukoč, Gottfried Küenzlen, Aurelia Margaretić, Michael R. Ott, Dunja Potočnik, A. James Reimer, Kjartan Selnes, Rudolf J. Siebert, Hans K. Weitensteiner, Brian Wilson, Katarzyna Zielinska.
