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. |
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LibraryThing Review
User Review - jasoncomely - LibraryThingOne of the deepest books I've ever read, but it's not without it's humorous moments (the examples Berger gives to illustrate his points are sometimes hilarious). This is incredibly meta and multi-layered. A must-read for anyone into world building. Read full review
LibraryThing Review
User Review - thcson - LibraryThingWhen I first read this book six years ago I thought it was really insightful. Reading it now for a second time wasn't quite as exciting. The book begins with very good chapters on knowledge in ... Read full review
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 | |
The Sociology of Knowledge and Sociological | |
Name Index for Introduction and Notes | |
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Common terms and phrases
actions Alfred Schutz analysis apprehended Arnold Gehlen become biography biological body of knowledge child cognitive concept conceptual machinery consciousness constructed context continuing conversation course defined definitions of reality deviant dialectic distribution of knowledge Durkheim economic surplus empirical example existence experience face-to-face situation Georg Simmel habitualization historical human sexuality identity ideology important individual individual’s institutional order institutionalization integration intellectual interaction interest internalized language latter legitimation man’s Mannheim’s marginal situations Marxism meaning meaningful mediated mythology nihilation objectivated objective one’s ongoingly philosophical philosophical anthropology plausibility structure possible pragmatic primary socialization problem produced question reality of everyday reification relationship relevant roles Scheler’s 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 types typifications understanding unsuccessful socialization Voudun