An Invitation to Reflexive Sociology

Bourdieu, Pierre / Wacquant, Loïc

1. Auflage August 1992
336 Seiten, Softcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd

ISBN: 978-0-7456-1033-7

John Wiley & Sons

Over the last three decades, Pierre Bourdieu has produced one of
the most imaginative and subtle bodies of social theory and
research of the post war era. Yet, despite the his influence, no
single introduction to his wide-ranging work is available. This
book offers a systematic and accessible overview, providing
interpretative keys to the internal logic of Bourdieu's work by
explicating thematic and methodological principles underlying his
work.

Firstly Loic Wacquant provides a clear and systematic account of
the main themes of Bourdieu's work, outlining his conception of
knowledge, his theory of practice and his distinctive methods of
analysis. In the second part of the book Wacquant collaborates with
Bourdieu to discuss the central concepts of Bourdieu's work,
confront some criticisms and objections, and develop Bourdieu's
views on the relations between sociology, philosophy, history and
politics. Finally Bourdieu displays his sociological approach in
practice: beginning with the practical demands of research, he
moves, step by step, to a formulation of the principles of
sociological reason.

Supplemented by an extensive and up-to-date bibliography, this
book will be essential reading for anyone who wishes to understand
Bourdieu's unique and outstanding contribution to contemporary
social thought.

Preface.

Part I: Towards a Social Praxeology: The Structure and Logic of
Bourdieu's Sociology.

Part II: The Purpose of Reflexive Sociology (The Chicago
Workshop).

Part III: The Practice of Reflexive Sociology (The Paris
Workshop).

Appendices.

References and Bibliography.

Name Index.

Subject Index.

'A rare opportunity to experience a great mind in action outside the usual conventions of academic self-presentation.'
Paul DiMaggio, Princeton University

'The leading French sociologist of our generation, already well known through his researches and theoretical formulations, he appears here in the first person, in dialogue and in seminar, and in the magnifying glass of Loic Wacquant. One hopes the appeal of this self-presentation does not eclipse Bourdieu's other major works, for An Invitation to Reflexive Sociology promises to be Bourdieu's most widely-read book.'
Randall Collins, University of California, Riverside

"This is essential reading for anyone considering Bourdieuian-based educational research."
Educational Review

Pierre Bourdieu was Professor of Sociology at the
Collège de France.

Loïc Wacquant is Professor of Sociology at the
University of California-Berkeley and Researcher at the Centre de
sociologie européenne-Paris.

P. Bourdieu, College de France; L. Wacquant, University of California at Berkeley