The Social Construction of Reality: A Treatise in the Sociology of KnowledgeA watershed event in the field of sociology, this text introduced “a major breakthrough in the sociology of knowledge and sociological theory generally” (George Simpson, American Sociological Review). In this seminal book, Peter L. Berger and Thomas Luckmann examine how knowledge forms and how it is preserved and altered within a society. Unlike earlier theorists and philosophers, Berger and Luckmann go beyond intellectual history and focus on commonsense, everyday knowledge—the proverbs, morals, values, and beliefs shared among ordinary people. When first published in 1966, this systematic, theoretical treatise introduced the term social construction,effectively creating a new thought and transforming Western philosophy. |
Contents
The Foundations of Knowledge in Everyday Life | |
Society as Objective Reality | |
b Origins of Institutionalization | |
Sedimentation and Tradition | |
Roles | |
e Scope and Modes of Institutionalization | |
Legitimation | |
Society as Subjective Reality | |
Theories about Identity | |
Organism and Identity | |
Notes | |
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Common terms and phrases
actions Alfred Schutz analysis apprehended Arnold Gehlen become Berger biography biological body of knowledge child cognitive concept conceptual machinery consciousness context continuing conversation course defined definitions of reality dialectic distribution of knowledge Durkheim economic surplus empirical example existence experience face-to-face situation Georg Simmel historical human sexuality identification identity ideology important individual individual’s institutional order institutionalization integration intellectual interaction interest internalized language latter legitimation man’s Mannheim Marx Marxism meaning meaningful mediated mythological nihilation objectivated objective one’s ongoingly perspectives Peter L philosophical plausibility structure possible pragmatic primary socialization problem procedures produced question reality of everyday reification relationship relevant roles Scheler secondary socialization sense sexual significant social distribution social processes social structure social world society sociological theory sociologist sociology of knowledge specific stock of knowledge subjective reality subuniverses symbolic universe Talcott Parsons Theodor Geiger theoretical Thomas Luckmann tradition typifications understanding unsuccessful socialization Voudun