Hans Joas

The Creativity of Action

• Broschiertes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

Joas is one of Germany s leading social theorists today.
This book is a major study and re-evaluation of the theories ofaction.
As well as surveying past and current debates, it also offers anew theory of the creative character of human activity.

---

Hans Joas is one of the foremost social theorists in Germany today. In this outstanding book he outlines the fundamentals of a new theory of action, drawing on philosophical pragmatism. The work is based upon Joas s celebrated study of George Herbert Mead, but also establishes direct ties between Mead s work and approaches drawn from German traditions of philosophical anthropology.
A major feature of Joas s theory is an emphasis on the creative character of human action. Human activity is not coincidentally, but in a fundamental sense, creative. The work contains new discussions of the nature of human intentions, the embodied character of human action and the character of intersubjectivity.

The problem of action is of crucial importance in both sociology and philosophy, and this book adds fresh impetus to the lively discussions current in the English-speaking world.

---

Hinweis: Dieser Artikel kann nur an eine deutsche Lieferadresse ausgeliefert werden.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Blackwell Publishers
• 1996.
• Seitenzahl: 352
• Erscheinungstermin: 1. Oktober 1996
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 231mm x 154mm x 32mm
• Gewicht: 541g
• ISBN-13: 9780745617718
• ISBN-10: 0745617719
• Artikelnr.: 13624614

Autorenporträt

Hans Joas is Professor of Sociology at the Free University of Berlin. He was also a Permanent Fellow at the Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies. From 2002 until 2011, he was the Director of the Max Weber Centre for Advanced Cultural and Social Studies at the University of Erfurt. He is also Visiting Professor of Sociology and Social Thought and a Member of the Committee on Social Thought at the University of Chicago.

Inhaltsangabe

Preface.
Introduction.
1. The Emergence of the Theory of Action.
2. Metaphors of Creativity.
3. Situation - Corporeality - Sociality The Fundamentals of a Theory of the
Creativity of Action.
4. Creative Democracy.
Notes.
Bibliography.
Index of Names.
Index of Subjects.

Rezensionen

"A masterful comprehensive rethinking of the theory of action thatinterweaves sociological and philosophical motifs. Joas sharplycriticizes prevailing understandings of "rational" and "normativelyoriented" concepts of action. He explores the fundamentals of atheory of creative action that draws its inspiration from thepragmatic investigations of John Dewey and George Herbert Mead, butsystematically develops their insights in novel ways. The scope,insight, and lucidity of Joas s subtle argument are trulyimpressive. This is an exemplar of sociological imagination at itsbest." Richard J. Bernstein, New School for Social Research
"This is a most outstanding book: erudite, profound, andinclusive on a most important subject. A must for scholars in manyfields." Amitai Etzioni , author of The Spirit ofCommunity

"This deeply serious and intelligent book embodies sociologicaltheorizing at its best. Joas tackles the most difficulttheoretical, empirical, and moral questions of the day, and hecomes up with answers that compel attention. The Creativity ofAction is a refreshing antidote to the skepticism about socialscience theory that marks our age." Jeffrey Alexander,University of California Los Angeles