This book examines the future of the social sciences and the reconstruction of society in contemporary times. Drawing on the lead piece For a New Classic Sociology, it calls for a new theoretical synthesis that overcomes the fragmentation, specialization and professionalization within the social sciences. The position paper and the responses by a team of world-class social theorists provide an alternative to utilitarianism and the colonization of the social sciences by rational choice models, propose a new articulation of social theory, and moral, social and political philosophy. It recommends a return to classical social theory and explores articulations between theories of reciprocity, care and recognition.

A radical intervention in the study of the social sciences, the volume will be indispensable to scholars and researchers across the social sciences, especially social theory and sociology and social anthropology.

Contributions by Frank Adloff, Jeffrey C. Alexander, Francis Chateauraynaud, Raewyn Connell, Francois Dubet, Philip Gorski, Nathalie Heinich, Qu Jingdong, Mike Savage, Michael Singleton and Philippe Steiner.

About the Author

Alain Caille is Professor Emeritus of Nanterre University in Paris, France. One of France's most prominent intellectuals, he is the founder of the Mouvement Anti-Utilitariste dans les Sciences Sociales (MAUSS, Anti-utilitarian Movement in the Social Sciences), the chief editor of the Revue du MAUSS and the driving force behind the international convivialist movement. He has published about 30 books and over 500 articles on social theory, Marcel Mauss and the sociology of The gift. His most recent book is Extensions du domaine du don: Demander-donner-recevoir-rendre (2019).

Frederic Vandenberghe is Professor of Sociology at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he also directs the Sociofilo, the Social Theory Lab. He has published widely on the history of ideas and various aspects of social theory in English, French and Portuguese. With Routledge, he has earlier published A Philosophical History of German Sociology (2009) and What's Critical about Critical Realism? (2014).

Book Information
ISBN 9780367470739
Author Alain Caille
Format Paperback
Page Count 156
Imprint Routledge India
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 453g