“Inter”, “Multi”, “Trans” and “Post”: Sociology, Disciplinarity and Postmodernism

 
PIIS013216250013028-3-1
DOI10.31857/S013216250013028-3
Publication type Article
Status Published
Authors
Occupation: Professor; Chief Researcher
Affiliation:
National Research University “Higher School of Economics”
Institute of Sociology of FCTAS RAS
Address: Russian Federation, Moscow
Journal nameSotsiologicheskie issledovaniya
EditionIssue 2
Pages15-25
Abstract

This article analyzes the historical and theoretical aspects of interrelationship of sociology and other disciplines. The author examines the “positive” and “negative” sides of this interrelationship. The “positive” aspects can be seen in the explorations of the problems located on the borders of different disciplines, in the forms of inter-, multi- or trans-disciplinary studies, such as, for instance, the diffusion of innovations, gender or cultural studies. Even the thinkers, whose attitude towards sociology was sceptical or hostile, exercised a fruitful influence on the development of sociology. As examples it can be cited the theory of close and open societies by Henri Bergson or the treatment of hermeneutics by Wilhelm Dilthey. The “negative” influence is illustrated by the postmodernism in sociological theory. Although, according to some analysts, it is dead in this field, its influence continues there; besides, it is reviving in new guises (“postpostmodernism”, etc.). The author emphasizes such traits of postmodernism as the vagueness or senselessness of conceptual constructions; denial of interdisciplinary borders; devaluation of science and, at the same time, tendency to establish itself in it; pseudo-newness and pretention to ultra-newness; verbiage, shocking, faddishness, political partisanship, etc. These statements are illustrated by the case of Michel Foucault, the most characteristic and famous postmodernist in sociology. One of the main conclusion of this article is the need of sociology to be more selective, critical and reflexive in its choice of external influences.

Keywordstheoretical sociology, interdisciplinarity, multidisciplinarity, transdisciplinarity, postmodernism, Michel Foucault
Received24.02.2021
Publication date25.03.2021
Number of characters31800
Cite  
100 rub.
When subscribing to an article or issue, the user can download PDF, evaluate the publication or contact the author. Need to register.

Number of purchasers: 0, views: 916

Readers community rating: votes 0

1. Béraud C., Coulmont B. (2018) Contemporary Trends in Sociology. Paris: Presses Universitaires de France / Humensis (“Quadrige Manuels”). (In Fr.)

2. Bergson H. (2010) The Two Sources of Morality and Religion. Moscow: Knijnyï Dom “Universitet” (In Russ.)

3. Chudova I.A. (2017) Postmodernism and Sociology: Dangers or Opportunities? Sotsiologicheskie issledovaniya [Sociological Studies]. No. 4: 122–128. (In Russ.)

4. A Dictionary of Sociological Thought (2005) Ed. by M. Borlandi, R. Boudon, M. Cherkaoui, B. Valade. Paris: Presses Universitaires de France. (In Fr.)

5. Dilthey W. (2000) Introduction to the Human Sciences. Dilthey W. Collection of Works in 6 vol. Moscow: Dom Intellektualnoï Knigi: 270–730. (In Russ.)

6. Eribon D. (2008) Michel Foucault. Moscow: Molodaya Gvardia. (In Russ.)

7. Espinas A. (2012) Social Life of the Animals. Moscow: “LIBROKOM”. (In Russ.)

8. Foucault M. (2005) “Society must be defended”. St. Petersburg: Nauka. (In Russ.)

9. Frankfurt H.G. (2008) On Bullshit. Мoscow: Evropa. (In Russ.)

10. Fuller S. (2018) The Sociology of Intellectual Life. Moscow: Delo. (In Russ.)

11. Fox N. (1998) Foucault, Foucauldians and sociology. The British Journal of Sociology. Vol. 49. N3. Sept.: 415–433.

12. Gofman A.B. (2015) Fashion, Science, Weltanschauung. On Theoretical Sociology in Russia and Abroad. In: Gofman A.B. Tradition, Solidarity and Sociological Theory. Selected Texts. Moscow: Novyï Khronograf: 274–323. (In Russ.)

13. Gofman A.B. (2013) On Fashions in Present-Day Theoretical Sociology. Sotsiologicheskie issledovaniya [Sociological Studies]. No. 10: 21–28. (In Russ.)

14. Graeber D. (2020) Bullshit Jobs: A Theory (2020). Moscow: Ad Marginem. (In Russ.)

15. Joseph J. (2004) Social Theory. An Introduction. New York: New York University Press.

16. Kravchenko S.A. (2020) Development of the Subject of Sociology: From Monodisciplinarity to Inter- and Post-Disciplinarity. Sotsiologicheskie issledovaniya [Sociological Studies]. No. 3: 16–26. (In Russ.)

17. Mauss M. (2011) Techniques of the body. In: Mauss M. Societies. Exchange. Personality. Essays in Social Anthropology. Moscow: Knijnyï Dom “Universitet”. (In Russ.)

18. Miller J. (2013) The Passion of Michel Foucault. Moscow; Ekaterinburg: Kabinetnyï Uchionyï. (In Russ.)

19. Pavlov A.V. (2020) Metamodernism: A Critical Introduction. In: Metamodernism: Historicity, Affect, and Depth after Postmodernism. Ed. by R. van den Akker a. o. Moscow: RIPOL klassik: 10–27. (In Russ.)

20. Power M. (2011) Foucault and Sociology. Annual Review of Sociology. Vol. 37. August: 35–56.

21. Ritzer G. (2002) Modern Sociological Theory. St. Petersburg: Piter. (In Russ.)

22. Shapiro I. (2011) The Flight from Reality in the Human Sciences. Moscow: VSHE. (In Russ.)

23. Shchelkin A.G. (2017) Postmodernism in Sociology. On Unobtrusive Consequences. On Unobtrusive Consequences of a Recent Sociological Fashion. Sotsiologicheskie issledovaniya [Sociological Studies]. No. 2: 120–130. (In Russ.)

24. Szacki J. (2018) History of Sociological Thought. Vol. II. Moscow: NLO. (In Russ.)

25. Veyne P. (2013) Foucault, His Life, His Character. St. Petersburg: “Vladimir Dal”. (In Russ.)

Система Orphus

Loading...
Up