Public Sociology: From Social Facts to Literary Acts

(Paperback, Second Edition)

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Public Sociology, 2nd edition offers a fundamental enriching of method far beyond the scope of research methodology textbooks. It looks at sociology as a social act-as writing-in arguing for a public sociology that can more fully embrace and address crucial public issues. Building on the philosophy of science and recent postmodernist critiques, Agger shows how the social science text reproduces the existing social world, suppressing science's author in order to position itself as simply a mirror of nature, not a deliberate human version replete with ontology, theory, values, and politics. As such, method is an argument that polemicizes quietly for a certain view of the world. Agger peruses how science could be crafted differently, acknowledging, even embracing its authoriality while opening it to crosscurrents of other humanistic writing. Only by liberating sociology from the 'secret writing' of science can its ineradicable humanity be realized. But rather than dwelling on recent critiques, this, more than any other book, looks ahead to a new way of doing science-one that is simultaneously more scientific and humanistic. Its prescient view of how social science can take the lead in building a more democratic public sphere will make it a must-read for every student and researcher.

Reviews

Ben Agger asks many important questions about the promise of sociology in an era of cold facts and hard convictions. They are questions that younger sociologists in particular ought to be asking of themselves and of the discipline in which they make an intellectual home. Sociology could become the first true science of pluralism if those within it acknowledge and resist the strongest of the ideological winds blowing in all directions. The new material in this edition, particularly Agger's narrative account of the ASA coming to terms with "public" sociology, is timely and a permanent reminder that the profession's fate is tied directly to its leadership. -- Jonathan B. Imber, Wellesley College

Author Bio

Ben Agger (19522015) was professor of sociology and humanities at the University of Texas at Arlington. He also directed the Center for Theory and edited the electronic journal Fast Capitalism (www.fastcapitalism.com). Among his recent books are Postponing the Postmodern, Speeding Up Fast Capitalism, Fast Families, and Virtual Children (with Beth Anne Shelton).