Durkheim's Philosophy of Science and the Sociology of Knowledge: Creating an Intellectual Niche (Science and Its Conceptual Foundations series)

Schmaus, Warren

ISBN 10: 0226742520 / ISBN 13: 9780226742526

Published by University of Chicago Press, 1994

About this Item

The book is in good condition with all pages and cover intact, including the dust jacket if originally issued. The spine may show light wear. Pages may contain some notes or highlighting, and there might be a "From the library of" label. Boxed set packaging, shrink wrap, or included media like CDs may be missing.

Seller Inventory # BSM.11U94

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Durkheim's Philosophy of Science and the Sociology of Knowledge: Creating an Intellectual Niche (Science and Its Conceptual Foundations series)
• Publisher: University of Chicago Press
• Publication Date: 1994
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0226742520
• ISBN 13: 9780226742526
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: good

About this title

Synopsis

In this demonstration of the link between philosophy of science and scientific practice, Warren Schmaus argues that Durkheim's philosophy is crucial to his sociology. Through a reinterpretation of the relation between Durkheim's major philosophical and sociological works, Schmaus argues that Durkheim's sociology is more than a collection of general observations about society—it reflects a richly constructed theory of the meanings and causes of social life.

Schmaus shows how Durkheim sought to make sociology more rigorous by introducing scientific methods of analysis and explanation into the study of society. Durkheim tried to reveal how implicit, commonly held beliefs actually govern people's lives. Through an original interpretation of Durkheim's landmark writings, Schmaus argues that Durkheim, in his empirical studies, refined both the methods of sociology and a theory about society's shared knowledge and practices.

This book opens a new window on the development of Durkheim's thought and demonstrates how a philosophy of science can inspire the rise of a new science.

From the Back Cover

In this vivid demonstration of the link between philosophy of science and scientific practice, Warren Schmaus sees Durkheim's philosophy as central to his sociology. Through a bold reinterpretation of the relation between Durkheim's major philosophical and sociological works, Schmaus contends that Durkheim's sociology is more than an empirical study of society - it reflects a richly constructed theory of the meanings and causes of social life.