Madness and civilization by Foucault critically examines the concept of madness in West, its cultural perceptions, from confinement to treatment.
Madness and Civilization: A History of Insanity in the Age of Reason (1961) – Summary Read More »
Foucault’s concept of biopower highlights how modern states govern life, health, and populations through subtle, pervasive control.
Biopower and Biopolitics: Foucault on Bodies, Power, Control Read More »
Introduction In philosophy the ‘dialectic’ was initially used by Socrates (470-390 BC), Plato (427-397 BC), and Aristotle (384-322 BC) as
Dialectical Materialism – Karl Marx Read More »
Biographical Sketch of Alfred Schutz Alfred Schutz (1899-1959) was a renowned social philosopher. Born and raised in Austria, he found
Alfred Schutz – Phenomenology of Social World Read More »
Emile Durkheim, one of the founding figures of sociology, made significant contributions to the study of religion through his seminal
Durkheim’s Theory of Religion: The Sacred and Profane Read More »
Introduction Giddens’ concept of modernity is based on the idea that modern society is undergoing a radical transformation that affects
Anthony Giddens on Modernity Read More »
Introduction The phenomenon of suicide is among the most disconcerting aspects of human existence, often leaving those left behind with
Durkheim’s Study of Suicide Read More »
Learn about Karl Marx’s monumental work, Das Kapital, which explores the exploitation of the working class by the capitalist system. Find out more here.
Karl Marx is one of the most influential thinkers in the history of sociology, and his concept of dialectic materialism
What is Dialectic Materialism: Basic Methodology of Marx Read More »
Contribution of Marx to Economic Sociology: Karl Marx (1818–83) was one of the pioneers in Economic Sociology. Marx had been trained in law (and in philosophy), but was self-taught in economics.
Contribution of Marx to Economic Sociology Read More »
Karl Marx and Max Weber are two of the most influential social theorists of the 19th and 20th centuries. Both
Similarities and Differences between the ideas of Marx and Weber Read More »
The concept of a system is at the core of any discussion of Parsonian theory (Parsonian Social System). Parsons stated,
System Levels Theory – Parsons (Parsonian Social System) Read More »
Durkheim and Functionalism Emile Durkheim (1858-1917) is certainly the most important sociological forerunner of modern functionalism. Comte’s influence on Durkheim
Emile Durkheim and the Growth of Functionalism Read More »
What is Functionalism? According to “A Modern Dictionary of Sociology”, functionalism is defined as, The analysis of social and cultural
Functionalism and its Early Roots Read More »
Sociologists and other social theorists use the concept of social stratification to describe inequalities that exist between individuals and groups
Theories of Social Stratification: A Powerful Tool for Understanding Society Read More »
Critical Theory and Frankfurt School: Although all the theorists discussed in this section provide a critique of contemporary society, the
Critical Theory and Frankfurt School Read More »
Marx on class conflict has argued that at any one time, it is the class conflict or struggle that defines
Karl Marx on Class Conflict Read More »
Elite Theory Although the major elements of conflict theory were set out by Marx and Weber, a number of other
Elite Theory: A Contemporary Alternative of Conflict Theory Read More »
Max Weber and Conflict Theory Max Weber was born into a prominent bourgeois German family. His father was an important
Max Weber and Conflict Theory: Tracing the Origin Conflict Theory Read More »
Karl Marx and Conflict Theory Conflict theory in sociology is the creation of Karl Marx. Indeed, Marxism and conflict theory
Karl Marx and Conflict Theory: An Introduction Read More »
What is Neofunctionalism? Neofunctionalism is a recent theoretical development that emerged in the mid-1980s, both in the United States and
Neofunctionalism: New Addition in Functionalism or against it? Read More »
Chicago school has been contributing to the development of the sociology field for years. The principal focus of specialists has
Chicago School of Thought – Urban Sociology Read More »
Major Themes in Discipline and Punish Power and Knowledge The theme of knowledge and power is central in the work
Discipline and Punish (Summary) by Foucault Read More »
Authority implies legitimacy or legitimate use of power. According to Weber, there are three systems of legitimation, each with its
Types of Authority and Legitimacy – Weber Read More »
Social Action: Action is ‘social’ insofar as its subjective meaning takes account of the behavior of others and is thereby oriented in its course.
Weber’s Conception of Social Action Read More »
Introduction to Herbert Marcuse Herbert Marcuse was a German philosopher closely associated with the Frankfurt school (Radical intellectuals) Marcuse was
Herbert Marcuse: One-Dimensional Man (1964) and Advanced Industrial Society Read More »
Introduction Talcott Parsons (1902-1979) was a prominent American Sociologist of twentieth century. He served on the faculty of Harvard University
Talcott Parsons: The Social System, and General Action Theory (1952) Read More »
The Introduction (The Archaeology of Knowledge) In France, a country that awards its intellectuals the status other countries give to
Discourse, Power and Knowledge – Michel Foucault Read More »
