About the book
This book substantiates two claims. First, the modern world was not simply produced by \"objective\" factors, rooted in geographical discoveries and scientific inventions, to be traced to economic, technological or political factors, but is the outcome of social, cultural and spiritual processes. Among such factors, beyond the Protestant ethic (Max Weber), the rise of the absolutist state and its disciplinary network (Michel Foucault), or court society (Norbert Elias), a prime role is played by theatre. The modern reality is deeply theatricalized. Second, a special access for studying this theatricalized world is offered by novels. The best classical novels not simply can be interpreted as describing a world \"like\" the theatre, but they capture and present a world that has become thoroughly transformed into a global theatre. The theatre effectively transformed the world, and classical novels effectively analyze this \"theatricalized\" reality – much better than the main instruments supposedly destined to study reality, philosophy and sociology. Thus, instead of using the technique of sociology to analyze novels, the book will treat novels as a \"royal road\" to analyze a theatricalized reality, in order to find our way back to a genuine and meaningful life.
Editions of Novels and the Sociology of the Contemporary
- EBook
- ISBN 9781317222996
- PDF
- ISBN 9781317223009
Read an Excerpt
This book substantiates two claims. First, the modern world was not simply produced by \"objective\" factors, rooted in geographical discoveries and scientific inventions, to be traced to economic, technological or political factors, but is the outcome of social, cultural and spiritual processes. Among such factors, beyond the Protestant ethic (Max Weber), the rise of the absolutist state and its disciplinary network (Michel Foucault), or court society (Norbert Elias), a prime role is played by theatre. The modern reality is deeply theatricalized. Second, a special access for studying this theatricalized world is offered by novels. The best classical novels not simply can be interpreted as describing a world \"like\" the theatre, but they capture and present a world that has become thoroughly transformed into a global theatre. The theatre effectively transformed the world, and classical novels effectively analyze this \"theatricalized\" reality – much better than the main instruments supposedly destined to study reality, philosophy and sociology. Thus, instead of using the technique of sociology to analyze novels, the book will treat novels as a \"royal road\" to analyze a theatricalized reality, in order to find our way back to a genuine and meaningful life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Novels and the Sociology of the Contemporary about?
This book substantiates two claims. First, the modern world was not simply produced by \"objective\" factors, rooted in geographical discoveries and scientific inventions, to be traced to economic, technological or political factors, but is the outcome of social, cultural and spiritual processes. Among such factors, beyond the Protestant ethic (Max Weber), the rise of the absolutist state and its disciplinary network (Michel Foucault), or court society (Norbert Elias), a prime role is played by theatre. The modern reality is deeply theatricalized. Second, a special access for studying this theatricalized world is offered by novels. The best classical novels not simply can be interpreted as describing a world \"like\" the theatre, but they capture and present a world that has become thoroughly transformed into a global theatre. The theatre effectively transformed the world, and classical novels effectively analyze this \"theatricalized\" reality – much better than the main instruments supposedly destined to study reality, philosophy and sociology. Thus, instead of using the technique of sociology to analyze novels, the book will treat novels as a \"royal road\" to analyze a theatricalized reality, in order to find our way back to a genuine and meaningful life.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Novels and the Sociology of the Contemporary?
Society and Social Sciences > Sociology and anthropology > Sociology
Where can I read a sample of Novels and the Sociology of the Contemporary?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781317222996
Is Novels and the Sociology of the Contemporary part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Routledge Studies in Social and Political Thought
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Novels and the Sociology of the Contemporary?
Arpad Szakolczai
Who is the Publisher of the book Novels and the Sociology of the Contemporary?
Taylor and Francis
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Novels and the Sociology of the Contemporary is available as ebook(ISBN 9781317222996) and pdf(ISBN 9781317223009)