Social Theory and Contemporary Thought
Social Theory and Contemporary Thought
This project aims to reflect on the work of what is known as the sociological canon, as well as on the work of contemporary sociologists. Nineteenth and twentieth centuries produced a galaxy of social theorists whose concepts, arguments and theories, although shaped by the particularities of its social structure, remain crucial in the understanding of the nature of contemporary society. Therefore, the specific aims of this project for 2008 is to organize a book on Classical Sociology - which will include some of the most distinctive thinkers and their insights (some of them rarely discussed) - and to organize two conferences to discuss the work of some social theorists. In sum, the main aim is to give a fully adequate account of the ideas of the most illuminating social theorists.
Estatuto:
Proponent entity
Financed:
No
Keywords:
Social Theory, Contemporary Thought, Theoretical Debates, Sociological Canon
This project aims to reflect on the work of what is known as the sociological canon, as well as on the work of contemporary sociologists. Nineteenth and twentieth centuries produced a galaxy of social theorists whose concepts, arguments and theories, although shaped by the particularities of its social structure, remain crucial in the understanding of the nature of contemporary society. Therefore, the specific aims of this project for 2008 is to organize a book on Classical Sociology - which will include some of the most distinctive thinkers and their insights (some of them rarely discussed) - and to organize two conferences to discuss the work of some social theorists. In sum, the main aim is to give a fully adequate account of the ideas of the most illuminating social theorists.
Objectivos:
1. To acknowledge the work of the founding fathers of sociology and to reflect on their contributions and implications in contemporary society <p>2. To set a permanent framework for updating sociological theory and its problematics to contemporary societies, establishing connections between ICS-UL and other research centers as well as national and international universities.</p>3. To set up a research network with the Ibero-American sociologists.
State of the art:
<p>There is no doubt that historical forces shape sociological theory and its impact. Classical sociological theories have their roots in the nineteenth century culture and deal with pivotal social issues. Due to this, the work of theorists as Auguste Comte, Karl Marx, Herbert Spencer, Émile Durkheim, Max Weber, George Simmel, among others, continues to inspire contemporary sociologists. Although the historical forces today are different from the nineteenth century, many contemporary thinkers seek to reinterpret the classics to apply them to the contemporary scene and current debates and dilemmas.</p><p>In the Portuguese sociological literature, to organize a book on Classical Sociology aims to fill an existing gap and stems from a two-fold realization. On all Western Europe countries it is possible to find books and compilations of national authors on the theoretical, methodological and empyrical legacy that has become known as classical sociology. On the other, there is not such a corpus in Portugal, however, there are in fact essays from Portuguese sociologists on these matters, scattered articles, that have yet to be collected as a book for didactic purposes. In so doing, it will enable a better integration in the academic community and to parallel Portuguese sociology to the work developed in other countries in this regard.</p>
Parceria:
Unintegrated
