After careful consideration of the family submissions, I have decided to award bonus points to the Yellow and Green Families. I thought both points that the Yellow family submitted were good, and one point from the Green family (which gave a different interpretation of the "Dot-Communist Manifesto") was also worthy of a couple bonus points. Unfortunately, the Blue family's points were weak, especially on "Karl's New Manifesto." So, below are the points as described by each family, with some editing on my part. Anything I may ask about this exercise on the final exam will come from the description of these points below.
GREEN FAMILY
A capitalist society like ours revolves around purchases, especially of necessities such as food, shelter, water, etc., which must be paid for with money. In addition, we purchase things to satisfy our desires and for leisure. We pay to go to see a movie, to read a magazine, etc. The Internet provides an interesting dimension to this issue, where anyone with access to a computer can essentially read a magazine or listen to music for free. In Andrew Sullivan's article, though dated, this issue is discussed. He discusses how our "public space" (has) become increasingly private," yet the web has allowed us to become "equal citizens far more possible than ever." If Marx were alive today he would contend that the dream of being a whole person or to be "ends, not means" could in essence be illustrated through how we use the Internet. However, contemporary capitalist society does not want us to be able to go on the Internet and download music for free. It does not want us to read magazine articles without paying for a subscription. This takes away profit which is the driving force of capitalism. We think that it is important to mention that Napster, and other free online music sharing websites, have continually lost the battle in court to provide free music, and the most dominant music sharing programs on our computers today, at least the ones that function, are the ones where you have to pay with a credit card. So, perhaps capitalism will triumph after all.
YELLOW FAMILY
One interesting point from the article that can offer insight into contemporary capitalist society is the idea of public property in "Dot-Communist Manifesto." In traditional capitalist societies, private property is vital and necessary for societal functioning. The author used the Internet as an example of how public property can work, and how it can be a positive institution. The author talks about how motives other than profit become important to people, unlike capitalist society where "cash is king" and we are all motivated by our own self-interest. The author observes, "Private property is about as fashionable in the online world as public property is in the offline world." In the online world, private property is not profitable. Websites that require payment for membership are not popular, unlike those where anyone can access and be enriched by the content of the site. Private property contributes to alienation, while public property brings people together in this sense. The article offers a real life example of how public property is thriving on the Internet, which is one of the biggest and newest markets available. Could this catch on in other areas? Is public property really that bad? These are questions the article, although humorously, makes the reader think about.
In "Karl's New Manifesto" David Brooks brings up a point that is highly relevant for modern capitalist society. He ends the article talking about the striking structural differences between families of different socioeconomic classes. He gives the statistic that today only one-third of "poor" families are headed by married couples. This leaves an overwhelming majority of poor children to be raised by single parents. Children who do not live with both biological parents are less likely to graduate from high school, less likely to get a job, more likely to get in trouble with the law, less likely to raise their own children in a two-parent household, etc.That children who come from poor families are more likely to have disadvantages gives us an interesting take on capitalist society. Marx said that capitalists, by virtue of what it means to be a capitalist, "sow the seeds of their own destruction." The interesting insight is that, in this scenario, capitalist society is potentially creating a class of people that is perpetually struggling to catch up. Brooks suggests that this undereducated class is equivalent to the oppressed working class of Marx's "Manifesto" and the frustration created by this inherited inequality could prove to be dangerous for the educated capitalists.
That's it. So Yellow family members earn 4 bonus points, and the Green family members 2 bonus points.
After the break we will select new families, which I guess will end the Yellow family's dynasty.....
Friday, March 27, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Family Activity III
Before I describe this latst family activity, I want to remind you that the previous post on this blog (Monday, 3/16) contains the family questions for the Midterm Exam, which you need to study for tomorrow's exam.
FAMILY ACTIVITY III: Now that you've been exposed to the radical ideas of Marx and Marxism in Chapters 5 & 6 in our text, I want you to consider what the two "tongue-in-cheek" attempts to apply Marx to our time -- "Dot-Communist Manifesto" and "Karl's New Manifesto" (which I will hand out in class tomorrow) -- have to offer in terms of insight into contemporary capitalist society. More specifically, I want each of the families to pick out TWO points from ONE or BOTH commentaries which, aside from their attempt at humor, you believe do in fact offer significant insights into modern capitalist society. A spokesperson for each family will present your findings in class on Thursday, 3/26, and each family must turn in a one-page description and defense of your choices at that time. I will read and consider these and award bonus points to the family or families that come up with the two best points overall. This exercise is worth 4 points for all participating family members, and I will award 2 bonus points for each of the best points presented.
You need to read Chapter 6 in the text and especially these two commentaries for next week. I will give the families class time on Tuesday, 3/24 to confer about which points you want to present.
WHEN WE COME BACK AFTER SPRING BREAK, WE WILL PICK NEW FAMILIES FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SEMESTER.
FAMILY ACTIVITY III: Now that you've been exposed to the radical ideas of Marx and Marxism in Chapters 5 & 6 in our text, I want you to consider what the two "tongue-in-cheek" attempts to apply Marx to our time -- "Dot-Communist Manifesto" and "Karl's New Manifesto" (which I will hand out in class tomorrow) -- have to offer in terms of insight into contemporary capitalist society. More specifically, I want each of the families to pick out TWO points from ONE or BOTH commentaries which, aside from their attempt at humor, you believe do in fact offer significant insights into modern capitalist society. A spokesperson for each family will present your findings in class on Thursday, 3/26, and each family must turn in a one-page description and defense of your choices at that time. I will read and consider these and award bonus points to the family or families that come up with the two best points overall. This exercise is worth 4 points for all participating family members, and I will award 2 bonus points for each of the best points presented.
You need to read Chapter 6 in the text and especially these two commentaries for next week. I will give the families class time on Tuesday, 3/24 to confer about which points you want to present.
WHEN WE COME BACK AFTER SPRING BREAK, WE WILL PICK NEW FAMILIES FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SEMESTER.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Family Questions for the Midterm
Below are the family questions I accepted from those submitted last week. You'll note that I have done some editing of the questions and answers. Remember, these questions will be on the midterm exam which is coming up this Thursday, 3/19.
YELLOW FAMILY ( Jessica G. Amanda, Claire, Justina) earn 4 points, plus one bonus point.
1. Describe DEDUCTIVE and INDUCTIVE reasoning, and which ONE of these two types of reasoning do sociologists use the most? (3)
ANSWER: Deductive proceeds from the general to the particular, whereas inductive proceeds from particular observations to some general explanation or generalization. Sociologists use inductive reasoning more.
2. How does Durkheim explain how in modern society individuals are more autonomous at the same time they are more dependent on society? (1)
ANSWER: The growth of the division of labor, which leads to greater specialization and greater dependence on others.
3. How did I suggest Spencer's view on the place of women in society reveals a serious weakness in his evolutionary and functional model of society? (2)
ANSWER: It puts him in the position of rationalizing the place of women in society, suggesting it is due to natural evolution rather than social custom.
GREEN FAMILY (Jessica H., Grant, Megan, Kristen) earn 4 points.
1. In regard to Comte's "conservatism," I noted that it was NOT a (a) _________________________ conservatism but a (b) ____________________________ conservatism. (2)
ANSWER: (a) reactionary or status quo
(b) anticipatory
2. Identify TWO of the three basics of Durkheim's "moral education," which he argued was ultimately necessary to ensure "orgnaic solidarity" in modern society. (2)
ANSWER: Any two of the following: (1) devotion to society or collective ideals, (2) discipline, (3) autonomy.
BLUE FAMILY (Frank, Courtney, Lewis, Matt, Natalie) earn 4 points.
1. What did I note was wrong with the definition of sociological theory presented in the text? (1)
ANSWER: The authors neglected to put SOCIOLOGICAL in bold print.
2. What "impossible obligation" did Max Weber point out in the context of the text's discussion of the relation between ideology and sociology? (1)
ANSWER: That it is impossible for sociologists to look at society with complete objectivity because we are part of society and have personal beliefs about it.
That's all for now. Remember that Essay I re-writes are due tomorrow (if you decide to do it. We will wrap up Chapter 5 on Marx and Engels and perhaps get a bit into Chapter 6, then review for the midterm.
YELLOW FAMILY ( Jessica G. Amanda, Claire, Justina) earn 4 points, plus one bonus point.
1. Describe DEDUCTIVE and INDUCTIVE reasoning, and which ONE of these two types of reasoning do sociologists use the most? (3)
ANSWER: Deductive proceeds from the general to the particular, whereas inductive proceeds from particular observations to some general explanation or generalization. Sociologists use inductive reasoning more.
2. How does Durkheim explain how in modern society individuals are more autonomous at the same time they are more dependent on society? (1)
ANSWER: The growth of the division of labor, which leads to greater specialization and greater dependence on others.
3. How did I suggest Spencer's view on the place of women in society reveals a serious weakness in his evolutionary and functional model of society? (2)
ANSWER: It puts him in the position of rationalizing the place of women in society, suggesting it is due to natural evolution rather than social custom.
GREEN FAMILY (Jessica H., Grant, Megan, Kristen) earn 4 points.
1. In regard to Comte's "conservatism," I noted that it was NOT a (a) _________________________ conservatism but a (b) ____________________________ conservatism. (2)
ANSWER: (a) reactionary or status quo
(b) anticipatory
2. Identify TWO of the three basics of Durkheim's "moral education," which he argued was ultimately necessary to ensure "orgnaic solidarity" in modern society. (2)
ANSWER: Any two of the following: (1) devotion to society or collective ideals, (2) discipline, (3) autonomy.
BLUE FAMILY (Frank, Courtney, Lewis, Matt, Natalie) earn 4 points.
1. What did I note was wrong with the definition of sociological theory presented in the text? (1)
ANSWER: The authors neglected to put SOCIOLOGICAL in bold print.
2. What "impossible obligation" did Max Weber point out in the context of the text's discussion of the relation between ideology and sociology? (1)
ANSWER: That it is impossible for sociologists to look at society with complete objectivity because we are part of society and have personal beliefs about it.
That's all for now. Remember that Essay I re-writes are due tomorrow (if you decide to do it. We will wrap up Chapter 5 on Marx and Engels and perhaps get a bit into Chapter 6, then review for the midterm.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Marx Passage on Historical Materialism & Reminders
As I promised, below are the actual words of Marx which are considered THE classical statement of his HISTORICAL MATERIALISM (in contrast to the paraphrase of this in the text on p. 126):
"In the social production of their life, men enter into definite relations that are indispensable and independent of their will; relations of production that correspond to a definite stage of development of their material productive forces. The sum total of these relations of production constitutes the economic structure of society, the real foundation on which rises a legal and political superstructure and to which correspond definite forms of social consciousness. The mode of production of material life conditions the social, political and intellectual life process in general. It is not the consciousness of men that determines their being, but, on the contrary, their being that determines their consciousness."
(from Preface to "The Critique of Political Economy," 1859)
Although the above passage suggests that Marx was a hard-core "economic determinist" (the idea that the economy determines everything), some commentators (with whom I agree) have noted that it was really only in capitalism that he felt the economy had such a determinant influence on all other aspects of society.
I will try to wrap up Chapter 5 and Marx next Tuesday, 3/17. I will also make time for review for the Midterm Exam on Thursday, 3/19. In the meantime, remember I will post the family questions I accept and will be on that exam sometime on Monday.
"In the social production of their life, men enter into definite relations that are indispensable and independent of their will; relations of production that correspond to a definite stage of development of their material productive forces. The sum total of these relations of production constitutes the economic structure of society, the real foundation on which rises a legal and political superstructure and to which correspond definite forms of social consciousness. The mode of production of material life conditions the social, political and intellectual life process in general. It is not the consciousness of men that determines their being, but, on the contrary, their being that determines their consciousness."
(from Preface to "The Critique of Political Economy," 1859)
Although the above passage suggests that Marx was a hard-core "economic determinist" (the idea that the economy determines everything), some commentators (with whom I agree) have noted that it was really only in capitalism that he felt the economy had such a determinant influence on all other aspects of society.
I will try to wrap up Chapter 5 and Marx next Tuesday, 3/17. I will also make time for review for the Midterm Exam on Thursday, 3/19. In the meantime, remember I will post the family questions I accept and will be on that exam sometime on Monday.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Family Activity: Making Up Questions for the Midterm Exam
As I announced in class this morning, we are going to have our midterm exam on Thursday, March 19th, and in preparation for that I want each of the families to come up with FOUR SHORT-ANSWER questions (AND ANSWERS)from anything we've covered in class since the beginning of the term (which would also include any lecture material posted on the blog or the recent "Yellow Family on Spencer and Sumner, along with my own commentary"). I will give you some time to confer with your families on Thursday when, hopefully, you can come to some agreement about which four questions you want to submit for consideration. I will need those questions NO LATER THAN NOON FRIDAY (3/13). You may submit them via email. I will try to accept at least two questions from each family, for which you everyone will earn 4 activity points. For every additional question I accept, I will award a bonus point, so you may earn up to two bonus points for this exercise.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Yellow Family on Spencer & Sumner, along with my own commentary
Below are the Yellow Family's remarks on Spencer and Sumner. I interjected some comments in parentheses. Also, I added some comments at the end of Yellow family's remarks:
Proposition 3 Spencer definitely agrees with. It says that society is made up of relationships and institutions and individuals are a part of this society and must fulfill society's needs through playing certain roles and occupying certain statuses. Spencer says, "Society becomes a separate entity as people take on specialized roles to fulfill social needs." (65) He means that the individuals in a society create a working society because they take on roles, such as doctors, lawyers, and even motherhood which allows others to do their jobs and provide services other persons cannot provide. It is a fact that these institutions exist, not just individuals, that creates our ability to live and function in what we know as society. (But Spencer would NOT agree with the first part of that proposition: "The individual is an abstraction..." -- more on this in my commentary below.)
Spencer agrees with Proposition 4 which states: "The parts of a society are interdependent and interrelated. Customs, beliefs, and institutions are organically intertwined so that changing or remaking one part will undermine the complex relationships maintaining the stability of society as a whole" reflects aspects of his organic analogy. This organic analogy says, "As the organizational structure increases the differentiation arises, the functions, or activities, of the parts become more specialized. But these different activities are interdependent -- that is, they are 'so related as to make one another possible.' In other words, the parts of society, like the parts of an organism, function to maintain the structure of the whole"(69). As the population increases within a growing industrial society, and people begin to diverge more with their occupations and practices, such specialization makes the variety of jobs necessary for an efficient society's operation. When people begin to narrow their focus to a few aspects of living, then they depend on others to provide the goods and services relied upon to function in society. For example, most people do not grow their own food, while farmers don't usually manufacture the trucks that carry their produce to market. In order for a growing society to continue its progress, people are needed to fill out the positions others cannot. Together, many specializations make up a complete society. (which sounds a lot like Durkheim's argument in The Division of Labor in Society)
Proposition 10 directly relates to the authors' analysis of Spencer and Sumner. The proposition states that: "The conservatives feared that equality would destroy the "natural" and time honored agencies by which values were passed on from one generation to another. Hierarchy was necessary to the family, the Church, and the State, without which social stability was impossible." Spencer promoted the idea of the laissez-faire doctrine. He believed in little government intervention, as opposed to institutions set up to create equality. Spencer believed that hierarchy within an institution would be established, but it would be established through natural processes. In society, Spencer says, "The law of organization dictated a 'function to each organ and each organ to its own function' in both the social and natural world." (65) Individuals all have different roles to perform; if they are allowed to perform these roles, a natural hierarchy, which is necessary for stability, will be established.
MOST RELEVANT point for Spencer and Sumner is the idea of "survival of the fittest"/laissez-faire doctrine. This is key in understanding the division of labor and how a modern society should work. (That is, a modern CAPITALIST society.) Spencer believed that a free market economy demonstrated progress towards peace and well-being. This idea is relevant because of its reality in today's marketplace. Spencer and Sumner believed that "Capitalism and industrialism, unfettered by government interference, were the motors of social progress." (88)...
(I would just add, that the "relevance" of this point is more relevance to capitalist IDEOLOGY, not necessarily the REALITY of contemporary capitalism, which has flourished in part due to government intevention and regulation.)
LEAST RELEVANT aspect of Spencer and Sumner for understanding modern society is their ideas of race and gender. They did not regard men and women as equal; in fact, Spencer says, "to regard men and women as mentally alike, is as untrue as that they are alike bodily" (74). This is clearly out of step with modern society. It seems like Spencer and Sumner were repeating the status quo of society at the time instead of challenging it. In regard to race, it is stated that "some societies or some individuals have not progressed as far or as fast, or in the same manner, as some others." (78) They refer to different races as "lesser breeds." This is clearly not acceptable in our modern society....All are valuable and vital members in our organic society, regardless of race and gender.
And now for some of my own commentary:
A. It is true that Spencer made ample use of the organic analogy; he saw sociology and biology as closely linked. BUT on p. 69 the authors list several similarities and DISSIMILARITIES between society and biological organisms. A fundamental difference hinges on the idea that the individual has more freedom than any part of the biological organism. Recognizing these differences is key to understanding how Spencer can embrace political individualism and laissez-faire economics, along with the more wholistic view of society as an organism. SEE ESPECIALLY PASSAGE FROM SPENCER QUOTED NEAR THE BOTTOM OF P. 79.
B. Spencer's views on women (and less so on race) bring up what I would argue is a serious weakness in his evolutionary and functional model of society and social change, which is that it puts him in the position of endorsing (or rationalizing) any aspect of the existing society and claiming it contributes to evolution and is functionally necessary.
1. Despite his initial position favoring equal rights for women, in the end he argued that women should accept their status based on their different biology. Women evolved to be child bearers and child rearers, not thinkers and leaders (as if their being locked out of leadership roles happened naturally). The fact is that social customs more than biology dictated what roles women could take.
2. And regarding race, although one might argue that Spencer's views on race have been misinterpreted -- that he did not promote the racial superiority of white Europeans -- he did argue against miscegenation (mixed-race unions) on bogus racist grounds. See bottom p. 78 - top p. 79.
C. And don't forget Sumner's "Social Darwinism" and how it also justified racial and gender inequality.
That's all for now. Make sure to incorporate the above comments in your notes for the class.
Proposition 3 Spencer definitely agrees with. It says that society is made up of relationships and institutions and individuals are a part of this society and must fulfill society's needs through playing certain roles and occupying certain statuses. Spencer says, "Society becomes a separate entity as people take on specialized roles to fulfill social needs." (65) He means that the individuals in a society create a working society because they take on roles, such as doctors, lawyers, and even motherhood which allows others to do their jobs and provide services other persons cannot provide. It is a fact that these institutions exist, not just individuals, that creates our ability to live and function in what we know as society. (But Spencer would NOT agree with the first part of that proposition: "The individual is an abstraction..." -- more on this in my commentary below.)
Spencer agrees with Proposition 4 which states: "The parts of a society are interdependent and interrelated. Customs, beliefs, and institutions are organically intertwined so that changing or remaking one part will undermine the complex relationships maintaining the stability of society as a whole" reflects aspects of his organic analogy. This organic analogy says, "As the organizational structure increases the differentiation arises, the functions, or activities, of the parts become more specialized. But these different activities are interdependent -- that is, they are 'so related as to make one another possible.' In other words, the parts of society, like the parts of an organism, function to maintain the structure of the whole"(69). As the population increases within a growing industrial society, and people begin to diverge more with their occupations and practices, such specialization makes the variety of jobs necessary for an efficient society's operation. When people begin to narrow their focus to a few aspects of living, then they depend on others to provide the goods and services relied upon to function in society. For example, most people do not grow their own food, while farmers don't usually manufacture the trucks that carry their produce to market. In order for a growing society to continue its progress, people are needed to fill out the positions others cannot. Together, many specializations make up a complete society. (which sounds a lot like Durkheim's argument in The Division of Labor in Society)
Proposition 10 directly relates to the authors' analysis of Spencer and Sumner. The proposition states that: "The conservatives feared that equality would destroy the "natural" and time honored agencies by which values were passed on from one generation to another. Hierarchy was necessary to the family, the Church, and the State, without which social stability was impossible." Spencer promoted the idea of the laissez-faire doctrine. He believed in little government intervention, as opposed to institutions set up to create equality. Spencer believed that hierarchy within an institution would be established, but it would be established through natural processes. In society, Spencer says, "The law of organization dictated a 'function to each organ and each organ to its own function' in both the social and natural world." (65) Individuals all have different roles to perform; if they are allowed to perform these roles, a natural hierarchy, which is necessary for stability, will be established.
MOST RELEVANT point for Spencer and Sumner is the idea of "survival of the fittest"/laissez-faire doctrine. This is key in understanding the division of labor and how a modern society should work. (That is, a modern CAPITALIST society.) Spencer believed that a free market economy demonstrated progress towards peace and well-being. This idea is relevant because of its reality in today's marketplace. Spencer and Sumner believed that "Capitalism and industrialism, unfettered by government interference, were the motors of social progress." (88)...
(I would just add, that the "relevance" of this point is more relevance to capitalist IDEOLOGY, not necessarily the REALITY of contemporary capitalism, which has flourished in part due to government intevention and regulation.)
LEAST RELEVANT aspect of Spencer and Sumner for understanding modern society is their ideas of race and gender. They did not regard men and women as equal; in fact, Spencer says, "to regard men and women as mentally alike, is as untrue as that they are alike bodily" (74). This is clearly out of step with modern society. It seems like Spencer and Sumner were repeating the status quo of society at the time instead of challenging it. In regard to race, it is stated that "some societies or some individuals have not progressed as far or as fast, or in the same manner, as some others." (78) They refer to different races as "lesser breeds." This is clearly not acceptable in our modern society....All are valuable and vital members in our organic society, regardless of race and gender.
And now for some of my own commentary:
A. It is true that Spencer made ample use of the organic analogy; he saw sociology and biology as closely linked. BUT on p. 69 the authors list several similarities and DISSIMILARITIES between society and biological organisms. A fundamental difference hinges on the idea that the individual has more freedom than any part of the biological organism. Recognizing these differences is key to understanding how Spencer can embrace political individualism and laissez-faire economics, along with the more wholistic view of society as an organism. SEE ESPECIALLY PASSAGE FROM SPENCER QUOTED NEAR THE BOTTOM OF P. 79.
B. Spencer's views on women (and less so on race) bring up what I would argue is a serious weakness in his evolutionary and functional model of society and social change, which is that it puts him in the position of endorsing (or rationalizing) any aspect of the existing society and claiming it contributes to evolution and is functionally necessary.
1. Despite his initial position favoring equal rights for women, in the end he argued that women should accept their status based on their different biology. Women evolved to be child bearers and child rearers, not thinkers and leaders (as if their being locked out of leadership roles happened naturally). The fact is that social customs more than biology dictated what roles women could take.
2. And regarding race, although one might argue that Spencer's views on race have been misinterpreted -- that he did not promote the racial superiority of white Europeans -- he did argue against miscegenation (mixed-race unions) on bogus racist grounds. See bottom p. 78 - top p. 79.
C. And don't forget Sumner's "Social Darwinism" and how it also justified racial and gender inequality.
That's all for now. Make sure to incorporate the above comments in your notes for the class.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Due Date Revision for Essay I Re-write & Winner of the Family Activity
Because many people were absent Thursday when I handed the essays back and will not have much time to do a re-write next week, I am postponing the due date for the re-write until TUESDAY, MARCH 17TH. And that is a firm date -- no late re-writes will be accepted.
WINNER OF OUR FIRST FAMILY ACTIVITY:
The Yellow family (Amanda, Jessica G., Justina, Claire, and St. Claire) will receive three bonus points for your efforts. I will post your entry on MONDAY (3/9) along with some of my own commentary. Remember, that this is what you need to know from Chapter 3 for the midterm exam.
A couple general observations: I thought all the entries were actually pretty good, and so I believe we'll try to do more of this in the future. However, some were not sufficiently sensitive to some changes in Spencer's views, particularly as regards gender. In terms of his use of the organic analogy, Spencer undoubtedly fits some of the conservative propositions on society such as #3 and #4, but there, too, it also needs to be stressed that he makes room for the individual and his view of society is individualistic in some respects (and a point of attack for Durkheim). I will elaborate on these points on this blog on Monday.
WINNER OF OUR FIRST FAMILY ACTIVITY:
The Yellow family (Amanda, Jessica G., Justina, Claire, and St. Claire) will receive three bonus points for your efforts. I will post your entry on MONDAY (3/9) along with some of my own commentary. Remember, that this is what you need to know from Chapter 3 for the midterm exam.
A couple general observations: I thought all the entries were actually pretty good, and so I believe we'll try to do more of this in the future. However, some were not sufficiently sensitive to some changes in Spencer's views, particularly as regards gender. In terms of his use of the organic analogy, Spencer undoubtedly fits some of the conservative propositions on society such as #3 and #4, but there, too, it also needs to be stressed that he makes room for the individual and his view of society is individualistic in some respects (and a point of attack for Durkheim). I will elaborate on these points on this blog on Monday.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
ESSAY I RE-WRITE
Sociology 340
Essay I (re-write)
3/4/09
A. For anyone who wishes to, but especially for several of you who did poorly on this first essay assignment, I am going to give you an opportunity to re-write this essay and earn up to 5 points. What I want you to do is to re-write the essay in its entirety addressing my criticisms and incorporating aspects of a book review entitled, "Looking Past Number One," which I will hand out in class tomorrow (3/5) along with your graded essays. The review is of a book by the authors of "Habits of the Heart," and I believe it helps to reinforce the main point of the passage that was the focus of this essay assignment.
B. The due date for this re-write is THURSDAY, MARCH 12TH. I want you to hand in the original along with the re-write.
Essay I (re-write)
3/4/09
A. For anyone who wishes to, but especially for several of you who did poorly on this first essay assignment, I am going to give you an opportunity to re-write this essay and earn up to 5 points. What I want you to do is to re-write the essay in its entirety addressing my criticisms and incorporating aspects of a book review entitled, "Looking Past Number One," which I will hand out in class tomorrow (3/5) along with your graded essays. The review is of a book by the authors of "Habits of the Heart," and I believe it helps to reinforce the main point of the passage that was the focus of this essay assignment.
B. The due date for this re-write is THURSDAY, MARCH 12TH. I want you to hand in the original along with the re-write.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Passages From and About Durkheim
Below are the two passges I quoted in class this morning (Tues. 3/3):
First from Durkheim, illustrating the organic analogy and the role of restitutive law in modern society:
"This law (restitutive) definitely plays a role in society analogous to that played by the nervous system in the organism. The latter has as its task, in effect, the regulation of the different functions of the body in such a way as to make them harmonize."
Second, from a previous text I used in this course, which brings out the condition of society Durkheim referred to as "anomie," and why a new morality was needed:
" In general, the anomic state of modern society has led to a relatively unrestrained citizenry, wherein people primarily look out for their own interests and have disregard for those of others....The individual's social part, Durkheim insisted, is just as natural to humans as their individual (self-interest) part. The problems of modern society are due not to a basically anti-social human nature but to the structure of contemporary society, which does not adequately nurture, develop, and sustain the individual's socially oriented part."
And, as I noted in class, in Durkheim's view sociology could play a key role in developing a new morality (a "science of ethics") to cultivate the "individual's socially oriented part." Which at first he thought the occupational group could instill in individuals, but eventually Durkheim advocated a "moral education," also the title of his last work. Note also how I tied this in to the passage from Habits of the Heart, where the authors in attacking our radical individualism and reminding us of our social connection would wholeheartedly endorse Durkheim's point.
That's all for now. Don't forget first thing on Thursday (3/5) I want to hear from a spokesperson for each of the families what you concluded about Chapter 3 on Spencer and Sumner. Also, please turn in a copy of your findings to me. And I will hand back your first essay.
First from Durkheim, illustrating the organic analogy and the role of restitutive law in modern society:
"This law (restitutive) definitely plays a role in society analogous to that played by the nervous system in the organism. The latter has as its task, in effect, the regulation of the different functions of the body in such a way as to make them harmonize."
Second, from a previous text I used in this course, which brings out the condition of society Durkheim referred to as "anomie," and why a new morality was needed:
" In general, the anomic state of modern society has led to a relatively unrestrained citizenry, wherein people primarily look out for their own interests and have disregard for those of others....The individual's social part, Durkheim insisted, is just as natural to humans as their individual (self-interest) part. The problems of modern society are due not to a basically anti-social human nature but to the structure of contemporary society, which does not adequately nurture, develop, and sustain the individual's socially oriented part."
And, as I noted in class, in Durkheim's view sociology could play a key role in developing a new morality (a "science of ethics") to cultivate the "individual's socially oriented part." Which at first he thought the occupational group could instill in individuals, but eventually Durkheim advocated a "moral education," also the title of his last work. Note also how I tied this in to the passage from Habits of the Heart, where the authors in attacking our radical individualism and reminding us of our social connection would wholeheartedly endorse Durkheim's point.
That's all for now. Don't forget first thing on Thursday (3/5) I want to hear from a spokesperson for each of the families what you concluded about Chapter 3 on Spencer and Sumner. Also, please turn in a copy of your findings to me. And I will hand back your first essay.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)