Realist-Axiological Perspectives and Images of Social Life

The book offers an interpretation of social life developed during a century of sociological thought at the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin. It accounts for both objective ideas and the subjective (authorial) role played by the scholars who developed these ideas. Such an approach results in a perspective - developed through individual research and never-ending academic dialogue - that provides a comprehensive vision of social life. According to the authors, sociological research must follow two major principles to develop in a rational manner. First, it must be considered an independent field of study; second, it must be strictly connected with philosophy. It is philosophy that allows researchers to orient themselves when confronted with complex phenomena; it provides "terms" enabling them to gradually approach truth; when rooted in sociological research, it creates a comprehensive image of social reality.

The present book offers an interpretation of social life developed during a century of sociological thought at the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin. It was the authors' intention to combine a historical perspective (the genesis of thoughts and concepts) with a detailed discussion of ideas (theoretical premises).