Distinguished French sociologist Raymond Boudon presents here a critical theory history of the concept of ideology. His highly original and lucidly argued study addresses the core question of any account of ideology. How do individuals come to adhere to false or apparently irrational beliefs, and how do such beliefs become collectively accepted as true?Boudon begins by providing an exhaustive and subtle critique of sociological explanations of ideology from early conceptions to its current usage in the works of Barthes, Foucault, Habermas, Sartre, and others. He then offers his own interpretation of the origins and emergence of ideological beliefs. In opposition to those views which associate ideology with irrationalism, Boudon shows that ideologies are a natural ingredient of social life; he develops a rationalist theory that helps to explain why certain ideas are believed by individuals and thereby effective in the social world. Finally, he examines case studies of two modern-day ideologies—developmentalism and Third Worldism.Moving easily across disciplinary boundaries, Boudon's provocative contribution to a subject of growing significance will be of great interest to scholars in sociology and social theory, as well as philosophy, political science, and development studies.

The Analysis of Ideology

Politics & Social Sciences

BOUDON, RAYMOND

Philosophy

University of Chicago Press

A study of the sociology of sociology from a largely European perspective:: macrosociology; functionalism; neoMarxism; Tarde; Lazerfeld; more.

The Crisis in Sociology: Problems of Sociological Epistemology (European Perspectives: a Series in Social Thought & Cultural Ctiticism)

Columbia Univ. Pr.

The Crisis in Sociology: Problems of Sociological Epistemology

Davis, Howard H.

PALGRAVE~MACMILLAN

A Critical Dictionary of Sociology

Unlike most other sociology or social science dictionaries, in this translation of the Critical Dictionary of Sociology, taken from the second French edition of the Dictionary and edited by the English sociologist Peter Hamilton, the critical value of this distinctive work is at last made available for a wider audience. Each entry grapples directly with an issue, whether theoretical, epistemological, philosophical, political or empirical, and provides a strong statement of what the authors think about it. The discussions are considered but argumentative.  By reaffirming that a non-marxist style of critique is still possible, Boudon and Bourricaud have presented a distinctive approach to the key issues which confront the societies of the Twentieth and Twenty-First centuries. For some this work will be a textbook, for others an indispensable sourcebook of sociological concepts, and for most a way of opening our eyes to new dimensions in our understanding of the great ideas and theories of sociology.

Self-Help

Bourricaud, François

Death & Grief

Routledge

Reference

Theories of Social Change: A Critical Appraisal

Social Sciences

University of California Press

Logic of Social Action: An Introduction to Sociological Analysis

Routledge& Kegan Paul

The Logic of Social Action

<p>This work, by one of Europe's foremost social theorists, presents a critical history of the concept of ideology. The author's discussion ranges from the early conceptions of ideology to its current usage in the works of Barthes, Foucault, Habermas and others.</p>

Polity

People of all times and cultures have believed in false and dubious ideas. This is just as true of our modern scientific age as it was of earlier cultures: we too believe in all sorts of ungrounded causal states, like such-and-such a practice can lead to a longer life, to better health, and so on. How can such beliefs be explained?Boudon examines the main theories that have been used in the social sciences and psychology for the explanation of beliefs. He then develops a particular model which enables him to show that actors often have good reasons to believe in false ideas. The central concept of this model is that actors often draw controversial conclusions from valid arguments because they introduce implicit statements which they do not perceive, since they treat them with good reasons as self-evident. Hence they can hold doubtful of even false conclusions and regard them as solidly grounded. Boudon show that this model can be used to reinterpret many findings from the sociology of religion and the sociology of knowledge, as well as from cognitive psychology. It can also demonstrate how scientific arguments can lead to false or fragile beliefs. In short, beliefs in false ideas are often grounded in serious arguments.The Art of Self-Persuasion is a major contribution to the analysis of beliefs. Moreover, through the elaboration of the notion of 'good reasons', it also makes a significant contribution to the theory of rationality. It will be of particular interest to students and scholars in sociology, psychology and anthropology.

The Art of Self-Persuasion: The Social Explanation of False Beliefs

Health, Fitness & Dieting

Psychology & Counseling

Polity Pr

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