Overview
- Offers a synthetic conception of semiotics, with the aim of further establishing the discipline
- Builds a research program for semiotic sociology
- Outlines the future research tasks in the field of cultural and social theory
Part of the book series: Palgrave Studies in Relational Sociology (PSRS)
Access this book
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Other ways to access
Table of contents (9 chapters)
-
Front Matter
-
Back Matter
Keywords
About this book
Semiotic Sociology provides solid ground for cultural analysis in the social sciences by building up a mediation between structuralist semiology (Saussure), pragmatist semiotics (Peirce), and phenomenological sociology (Schutz, Garfinkel, Berger and Luckmann). This is a deviation from the common view that these traditions are seen as mutually exclusive alternatives and thus competitors of each other. The net result of the synthesis is that a new social theory emerges wherein action theories (Weber and rational choice) are based on phenomenological sociology and phenomenological sociology is based on neostructuralist semiotics, which is a synthesis of the Saussurean and the Peircean traditions of understanding habits of interpretation and interaction. The core issues of social research are then addressed on these grounds. The topics covered include the economy/society relationship, power, gender, modernity, institutionalization, the canon of current social theory including micro/macro and agency/structure relations, and the grounds of social criticism.
Reviews
– Isaac Ariail Reed, Professor of Sociology, University of Virginia, USA
This is a wonderfully accomplished book in the tradition of grand theory. Risto Heiskala skillfully integrates a plethora of intellectual traditions, from pragmatism to critical theory, to propose an innovative and perspicacious account of contemporary societal issues, notably surrounding gender.
– Patrick Baert, Professor of Social Theory, University of Cambridge, UK
In Semiotic Sociology, Risto Heiskala tackles a bold and welcome synthesizing challenge: to build bridges between theoretical approaches that have too quickly, yet for decades, been deemed as incompatible in the mainstream sociological selection of analytical tools. He makes this operation sound and seem easy. Yet, it is clear that these syntheses result from career-long scrutiny of theoretical debates but also a constant, careful eye to the needs of contemporary social research, a virtue not always present in theory building efforts.
– Eeva Luhtakallio, Professor of Sociology, University of Helsinki, EU FinlandAuthors and Affiliations
About the author
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Semiotic Sociology
Authors: Risto Heiskala
Series Title: Palgrave Studies in Relational Sociology
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-79367-8
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan Cham
eBook Packages: Social Sciences, Social Sciences (R0)
Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-030-79366-1Published: 02 November 2021
Softcover ISBN: 978-3-030-79369-2Published: 03 November 2022
eBook ISBN: 978-3-030-79367-8Published: 01 November 2021
Series ISSN: 2946-4110
Series E-ISSN: 2946-4129
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XV, 224
Number of Illustrations: 21 b/w illustrations
Topics: Sociological Theory, Social Theory, Sociology of Culture, Sociology, general