Making Sense of Modern Times; Peter Berger and the Vision of Interpretive Sociology

ix, [1], 259, [3] pages. Underlining of text noted. Includes Contributors, Preface, and Introduction. Also includes chapters on Social Theory; Modernization; Religion; and The Method and Vocation of Sociology. Also includes Epilogue by Peter L. Berger; The Bibliography of Peter L. Berger; General Bibliography, and Index. James Davison Hunter was the Labrosse-Levinson Distinguished Professor of Religion, Culture, and Social Theory at the University of Virginia and Executive Director of the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture. Peter Berger was one of the preeminent sociologists of the twentieth century. His highly creative and controversial writing has made a distinct impact not only in sociology but in such disciplines as political science, public policy, history, religious studies, and theology. Each of the four sections of this book--Social Theory; Modernization; Religion; and The Method and Vocation of Sociology--contains essays which examine Berger's efforts in the light of these broader issues and assess the degree to which Berger succeeds or fails in his efforts. The book includes a contribution from Berger himself, responding to the preceding essays as well as presenting his own appraisal of the future of interpretive sociology. Making Sense of Modern Times shows how Peter Berger struggles with the classical legacy of the sociological enterprise - a legacy largely abandoned by contemporary sociology. Berger makes a self-conscious effort to recover this vision. Each of the four sections of the book - Social Theory: Modernization; Religion; The Method and Vocation of Sociology - contains essays which examine Berger's efforts in the light of these broader issues and assess the degree to which Berger succeeds of fails in his efforts. The book includes a contribution from Berger himself, responding to the preceding essays as well as presenting his own appraisal of the future of interpretive sociology. First British Edition [stated], First U.K. Printing [stated].…