Modernity and the Holocaust
1. Edition November 1991
238 Pages, Softcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
ISBN:
978-0-7456-0930-0
John Wiley & Sons
Sociology is concerned with modern society, but has never come to terms with one of the most distinctive and horrific aspects of modernity - the Holocaust.
The book examines what sociology can teach us about the Holocaust, but more particularly concentrates upon the lessons which the Holocaust has for sociology. Bauman's work demonstrates that the Holocaust has to be understood as deeply involved with the nature of modernity. There is nothing comparable to this work available in the sociological literature.
Foreword.
1. Introduction: Sociology after the Holocaust.
2. Modernity, Racism, Extermination - I.
3. Modernity, Racism, Extermination - II.
4. On the Uniqueness and Normality of the Holocaust.
5. Soliciting Cooperation of the Victims.
6. The Ethics of Obedience (reading Milgram).
7. Towards a Sociological Theory of Morality Rationality and Shame.
Index.
1. Introduction: Sociology after the Holocaust.
2. Modernity, Racism, Extermination - I.
3. Modernity, Racism, Extermination - II.
4. On the Uniqueness and Normality of the Holocaust.
5. Soliciting Cooperation of the Victims.
6. The Ethics of Obedience (reading Milgram).
7. Towards a Sociological Theory of Morality Rationality and Shame.
Index.
'Modernity and the Holocaust is a very fine book. Broad in
scope and penetrating in analysis, it is disturbing as its subject
matter demands, yet never fails to preserve the crucial element of
reflective distance out of which new or more acute knowledge is
able to emerge.' Times Higher Education Supplement
'Such is the concentrated brilliance of this study that it is
sure to find an appreciative audience in every field of research
which touches on the Holocaust.' Times Literary
Supplement
'This is a profound book, brilliant in its insights ... It
demands wide readership.' Political Studies
'The book should be widely read by students of the social
sciences, since it is, apart from a provocative analysis of
explanations of genocide, a critique of sociology, which Bauman
claims has neglected the ethical dilemmas posed by the destruction
of the Jews.' Sociology
scope and penetrating in analysis, it is disturbing as its subject
matter demands, yet never fails to preserve the crucial element of
reflective distance out of which new or more acute knowledge is
able to emerge.' Times Higher Education Supplement
'Such is the concentrated brilliance of this study that it is
sure to find an appreciative audience in every field of research
which touches on the Holocaust.' Times Literary
Supplement
'This is a profound book, brilliant in its insights ... It
demands wide readership.' Political Studies
'The book should be widely read by students of the social
sciences, since it is, apart from a provocative analysis of
explanations of genocide, a critique of sociology, which Bauman
claims has neglected the ethical dilemmas posed by the destruction
of the Jews.' Sociology
Zygmunt Bauman (1925-2017) was Professor Emeritus of Sociology at the Universities of Leeds and Warsaw. He is the author of many works including Legislators and Interpreters (Polity Press) and Modernity and Ambivalence (Polity Press). He was also awarded the Theodor W. Adorno Prize in 1998.