Description
Providing an overview of the history of knowledge societies, Nico Stehr analyses the concept of knowledge as well as the nature of post-industrial societies. Chapters examine the genealogy of social scientific theories of modern society; the role of knowledge as a capacity to act or as an intersubjective resource; and recent changes in the structure of the material economy. The book concludes by discussing the political challenges of the knowledge society, highlighting the ways in which discoveries in modern knowledge and subsequent political responses continue to generate controversies.
This illuminating book will be an essential resource for students and scholars of economics, political science, sociology and sociological theory, as well as science and technology studies.
About the Author
Nico Stehr, Karl Mannheim Professor em., Zeppelin University, Friedrichshafen, Germany and Professor of Sociology em., University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Reviews
'The enormous changes of knowledge production and distribution in the last half century, extreme complexity and dangers of the social and biophysical problems that have arisen from its application, and consequent need to plot major changes of policy make this an especially important moment for reconsidering the relation of knowledge and society. Eminent scholar of modern knowledge societies, Nico Stehr's concise yet comprehensive analysis of these matters in intellectual, socio-historical, and political-economic context provides an incisive, holistic mapping of the primary issues in hand. His Understanding Society and Knowledge will be accessible to and provoke critical thought among a wide range of readers interested in the fundamental changes of social knowledge impacting our lives and world.' -- Robert J. Antonio, University of Kansas, US
'In his new book well known sociologist Nico Stehr draws on several decades of research on the thesis that we live in a knowledge society. One of the many interesting questions he discusses is if knowledge society will turn into knowledge capitalism and what this entails.'BR> -- Richard Swedberg, Cornell University, US
'Nico Stehr's Understanding Society and Knowledge is the sort of book on the sociology of knowledge that Max Weber might have written, had he lived another hundred years. Stehr mirrors and updates Weber's facility with the relevant literatures in law, politics and economics - as well as sociology - all brought together in aid of a higher-order social scientific understanding of the nature of knowledge. Both theorists and policymakers will find much food for thought here, as Stehr deftly intersperses his larger and more abstract claims with pointed illustrations from reports of recent events.' -- Steve Fuller, Auguste Comte Chair of Social Epistemology, University of Warwick, UKe
Book Information
ISBN 9781802203783
Author Nico Stehr
Format Hardback
Page Count 196
Imprint Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd
Publisher Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd
