Durkheim's Philosophy of Science and the Sociology of Knowledge Format: Hardcover

Warren Schmaus

ISBN 10: 0226742512 / ISBN 13: 9780226742519

Published by University of Chicago press, 1994

About this Item

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Seller Inventory # 9780226742519

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Durkheim's Philosophy of Science and the Sociology of Knowledge Format: Hardcover
• Publisher: University of Chicago press
• Publication Date: 1994
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0226742512
• ISBN 13: 9780226742519
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: New

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.