Synopses & Reviews
Max Weber's writings in The Sociology of Religion are today acknowledged as a classic of the social sciences. They are key texts for understanding Webers central sociological concepts concerning Western and Eastern civilizations,' and, according to this book rely on a deeply flawed and essentially orientalist concept of personality.
Review
"Sara R. Farriss analysis of the different areas of Webers research is very informative and substantial; her differentiated ideology-critique is convincing and inspiring. By focusing on Webers concept of the Occidental personality and its counter-image of an Asiatic 'non-personality', she has found an excellent theoretical key to lay bare the Orientalist pattern underlying his comparative analysis of world religions. Whoever tries to work with Webers sociological tools needs to be aware of the ideological baggage contained in his methodological approach.”
Jan Rehmann, author of Max Weber, Modernisierung als passive Revolution (Argument, 1998) and Theories of Ideology: The Powers of Alienation and Subjection (Haymarket, 2014).
Sara R. Farriss path-breaking book is the first systematic attempt to understand Max Webers central concept of personality. By means of powerful critical scrutiny, Farris reveals the class-based, Eurocentric and Orientalist presuppositions of Webers concept. Readers interested in Webers sociology should not miss this outstanding piece of research.”
Michael Löwy, author of La cage dacier: Max Weber et le marxisme wébérien (Stock, 2013).
Synopsis
Widely considered the founding-father of Sociology, Sarah Farris's excellently argued book shows that Max Weber was also deeply orientalist.
About the Author
Sara R. Farris Ph.D., studied at the University of Rome La Sapienza”. She is Lecturer in Sociology at Goldsmiths University of London. She was Member Scholar at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton in 2012-2013. She has published on sociological theory, political sociology, orientalism, gender studies