Social Theory and the Postmodern Turn

The flashcards cover key concepts discussed in the lecture about social theory, the postmodern turn, and influential sociologists.

Postmodern Turn

A shift in social sciences that emphasizes the construction of social reality through knowledge, questioning the notion of a single objective truth.

Empirical Application

The use of empirical evidence to analyze social phenomena, focusing on how social categories and structures impact experiences.

Giddens' Social Theory

A framework aiming to provide tools for describing, analyzing, interpreting, and evaluating social reality, emphasizing the interplay of structure and agency.

Weberian Analysis

An approach focused on understanding social action by reconstructing the meanings that individuals attach to their actions and circumstances.

Durkheimian Framework

A perspective that treats social phenomena as collective facts, emphasizing social integration and regulation rather than individual psychology.

Evaluative Dimension

The aspect of social theory that deals with values, power dynamics, and ethical considerations in analyzing social reality.

Interdisciplinary Approach

A method that integrates multiple disciplinary lenses to better understand complex social issues in contemporary society.

Anti-teleological Thinking

A concept rejecting the idea of predetermined historical progress, advocating for understanding social changes as contingent on specific conditions.

Susen's 'Five Turns'

Frameworks within postmodern social science encompassing relativism, hermeneutics, cultural analysis, contingency, and notions of autonomy.

Actor-Network Theory

A framework developed by Latour that emphasizes the role of both human and non-human actors in shaping social reality through networks.

Social Ontology

The study of the nature of social entities and structures, examining the relationship between individual beliefs and broader social contexts.

Reflexive Modernity

A concept emphasizing that modern societies constantly reflect on their structures and practices, leading to changes driven by risks and uncertainties.

Communicative Action

Habermas's theory framing communication as a key process for social integration, where mutual understanding is prioritized over instrumental reasoning.

Globalization

The interconnectedness of societies through cultural, economic, and political exchanges that transcends national boundaries.

Crisis of Modernity

The idea that modern foundations like rationality and progress are being questioned, leading to fragmented beliefs and social systems.

Lifeworld vs. System

Habermas's distinction between the shared meanings of everyday life and the functional organization of society, emphasizing the importance of communicative action.

Symbolic Capital

A non-material form of capital related to prestige, recognition, and social identity that influences an individual's social position.

Autopoiesis

A concept in systems theory referring to self-referential systems that produce and reproduce their own components while interacting with the environment.

Habitus

Bourdieu's concept referring to the dispositions and practices developed through social experiences, shaping individuals' actions and reactions.