Once again the season of the anti-sociologists is upon us…[a]curious admixture of illogic and sentiment…makes up the creed and canons of anti-sociology.” Those words come from Robert K Merton, writing in the New York Times in July 1961. They are a timely reminder that some bad ideas never die. They simply find new sponsors and… Read More »
Watching recent events in Minneapolis from the comfortable distance of several thousand miles and a large ocean, my mind turned to an influential paper by Everett Hughes, based on an extended visit to West Germany in 1948. ‘Good People and Dirty Work’ began as a public lecture… Hughes asks two questions: How did ‘good Germans’… Read More »
“…It is hard to think where else it would be possible to create such an institution with its relentless insistence that there is nothing special about humans, about the Christian faith or about the products of science and technology. This is not a didactic museum, except in the best sense of encouraging questions rather than… Read More »
Who is Howard S. Becker? This book traces his career, examining his work and contributions to the field of sociology. Themes covered include Becker’s theoretical conceptualizations, approaches, teaching style, and positioning in the intellectual milieu. Translated from French by sociologist Robert Dingwall, the English edition benefits from an editorial introduction and additional referencing, as well… Read More »