Synopses & Reviews
Revised for the first time in over thirty years, this edition of Emile Durkheimand#8217;s masterful work on the nature and scope of sociology is updated with a new introduction and improved translation by leading scholar Steven Lukes that puts Durkheimand#8217;s work into context for the twenty-first century reader.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Iandgt;The Rules of Sociological Methodandlt;/Iandgt; represents Emile Durkheimand#8217;s manifesto for sociology. He argues forcefully for the objective, scientific, and methodological underpinnings of sociology as a discipline and establishes guiding principles for future research.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;The substantial new introduction by leading Durkheim scholar Steven Lukes explains and sets into context Durkheimand#8217;s arguments. Lukes examines the still-controversial debates about andlt;Iandgt;The Rules of Sociological Methodandlt;/Iandgt;and#8217;s six chapters and explains their relevance to present-day sociology. The edition also includes Durkheimand#8217;s subsequent thoughts on method in the form of articles, debates with scholars from other disciplines, and letters. The original translation has been revised and reworked in order to make Durkheimand#8217;s arguments clearer and easier to read. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;This is an essential resource for students and scholars hoping to deepen their understanding of one of the pioneering voices in modern sociology and twentieth-century social thought.
Review
"With this improved and expanded edition, The Rules of a Sociological Method, has finally been given the scholarly treatment it deserves. And the Editor's Introduction--written with Steven Lukes's usual flair and erudition--provides an essential guide to the book's original historical context as well as to its lasting sociological importance."
Synopsis
First published in 1895: Emile Durkheimand#8217;s masterful work on the nature and scope of sociologyand#8212;now with a new introduction and improved translation by leading scholar Steven Lukes.andlt;brandgt;andlt;brandgt;andlt;Iandgt;The Rules of the Sociological Methodandlt;/Iandgt; is among the most important contributions to the field of sociology, still debated among scholars today. Through letters, arguments, and commentaries on significant debates, Durkheim confronted critics, clarified his own position, and defended the objective scientific method he applied to his study of humans. This updated edition offers an introduction and extra notes as well as a new translation to improve the clarity and accessibility of this essential work.andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;In the new introduction, Steven Lukes, author of the definitive biographyandlt;Iandgt; Emile Durkheim: His Life and Workandlt;/Iandgt;, spells out Durkheimand#8217;s intentions, shows the limits of Durkheimand#8217;s view of sociology, and presents its political background and significance. Making use of the various texts in this volume and Durkheimand#8217;s later work, Lukes discusses how Durkheimand#8217;s methodology is still relevant today.andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;With substantial notes on context, this revised edition will greatly ease the task of students and scholars studying Durkheim and will engage a new generation of readers with his rich contribution to the field.
About the Author
Emile Durkheim (1858and#8211;1917) was a French sociologist who formally established the academic discipline and, with Karl Marx and Max Weber, is commonly cited as the principal architect of modern social science.Steve Lukesandlt;bandgt; andlt;/bandgt;is a professor of sociology at New York University. An emeritus Fellow of the British Academy and an editor of the andlt;iandgt;European Journal of Sociologyandlt;/iandgt;, he is the author of andlt;iandgt;Emile Durkheim: His Life and Workandlt;/iandgt; and, most recently, andlt;iandgt;Moral Relativismandlt;/iandgt;.