2 The sociologist as human scientist
-
Thomas Schneider
Abstract
The writings of Edward Shils have been widely neglected in contemporary sociology. One major reason for this neglect is due to the contradictory receptions of his ideas. There have been two dominant lines of interpretation—the functionalist as well as the practice-theoretical paradigm of understanding of Shils’ writings—and they are not consistent with each other. Therefore, a more comprehensive understanding of Shils’ thinking needs to take into account his close attachment to the University of Chicago and to some of its pragmatist traditions. The suggestion in this paper is that we should read Shils from a standpoint which is called a human scientific approach. Thus, placing Shils in the context of contemporary social theory and moral philosophy reveals similarities to what has been called ‘sacralisation’ and ‘affirmative genealogy’.
Abstract
The writings of Edward Shils have been widely neglected in contemporary sociology. One major reason for this neglect is due to the contradictory receptions of his ideas. There have been two dominant lines of interpretation—the functionalist as well as the practice-theoretical paradigm of understanding of Shils’ writings—and they are not consistent with each other. Therefore, a more comprehensive understanding of Shils’ thinking needs to take into account his close attachment to the University of Chicago and to some of its pragmatist traditions. The suggestion in this paper is that we should read Shils from a standpoint which is called a human scientific approach. Thus, placing Shils in the context of contemporary social theory and moral philosophy reveals similarities to what has been called ‘sacralisation’ and ‘affirmative genealogy’.
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Dedication v
- Contents vii
- List of contributors ix
- Introduction 1
- 1 The philosophical anthropology of Edward Shils 32
- 2 The sociologist as human scientist 47
- 3 The recovery of tradition 61
- 4 Edward Shils and Michael Polanyi 79
- 5 Shils, Mannheim, and ideology 106
- 6 Shils and Oakeshott 123
- 7 Edward Shils on pluralism and civility 140
- 8 Nations, nationality, and civil society in the work of Edward Shils 154
- 9 Shils and the intellectuals 171
- 10 Edward Shils and his Portraits 191
- 11 Edward Shils 202
- 12 Concluding comments 212
- Appendix 214
- References 245
- Index 264
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Dedication v
- Contents vii
- List of contributors ix
- Introduction 1
- 1 The philosophical anthropology of Edward Shils 32
- 2 The sociologist as human scientist 47
- 3 The recovery of tradition 61
- 4 Edward Shils and Michael Polanyi 79
- 5 Shils, Mannheim, and ideology 106
- 6 Shils and Oakeshott 123
- 7 Edward Shils on pluralism and civility 140
- 8 Nations, nationality, and civil society in the work of Edward Shils 154
- 9 Shils and the intellectuals 171
- 10 Edward Shils and his Portraits 191
- 11 Edward Shils 202
- 12 Concluding comments 212
- Appendix 214
- References 245
- Index 264
