The Spirit of Luc Boltanski

Simon Susen And Bryan S. Turner

Description

An exploration of Luc Boltanski’s ‘pragmatic sociology of critique’ to central issues in contemporary social and political analysis.

The fact that Luc Boltanski is widely regarded as one of the most influential French sociologists of the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries should be reason enough for putting together a collection of essays concerned with the major intellectual contributions that he has made to the humanities and social sciences. Boltanski has emerged as the most prominent, and also most innovative, French sociologist since the death of Pierre Bourdieu in 2002. It is ironic that, despite both the magnitude and the originality of Boltanski’s oeuvre, one finds only few systematic commentaries, let alone edited books, on his work in the vast industry of contemporary sociological enquiry. The purpose of this volume is to fill this gap in the literature by creating opportunities for debate capable of representing the wide range of discussions that Boltanski’s writings have sparked amongst researchers in the humanities and social sciences over the past decades.

Preface (Simon Susen and Bryan S. Turner); Luc Boltanski: His Life and Work – An Overview (Simon Susen); Three Theories of Justice: Preliminary Reflections (Bryan S. Turner); The Spirit of Luc Boltanski: Chapter Outline (Simon Susen); 1. Figures of Descent from Classical Sociological Theory: Luc Boltanski (Bridget Fowler); 2. Did You Say ‘Pragmatic’? Luc Boltanski’s Sociology from a Pragmatist Perspective (Louis Quéré and Cédric Terzi); 3. Why (Not) Pragmatism? (Tanja Bogusz); 4. The Moral Idealism of Ordinary People as a Sociological Challenge: Reflections on the French Reception of Luc Boltanski and Laurent Thévenot’s ‘On Justification’ (Cyril Lemieux); 5. Is There Such a Thing as a ‘Pragmatic Sociology of Critique’? Reflections on Luc Boltanski’s ‘On Critique’ (Simon Susen); 6. Strengths and Limitations of Luc Boltanski’s ‘On Critique’ (Rob Stones); 7. A Renewal of Social Theory That Remains Necessary: The Sociology of Critical Capacity Twenty Years After (Peter Wagner); 8. Enlarging Conceptions of Testing Moments and Critical Theory: ‘Economies of Worth’, ‘On Critique’, and ‘Sociology of Engagements’ (Laurent Thévenot; Translated by Amy Jacobs); 9. Pierre Bourdieu and the Early Luc Boltanski (1960–1975): Collective Ethos and Individual Difference (Derek Robbins); 10. Beyond Pragmatic Sociology: A Theoretical Compromise between ‘Critical Sociology’ and the ‘Pragmatic Sociology of Critique’ (Mohamed Nachi); 11. Towards a Dialogue Between Pierre Bourdieu’s ‘Critical Sociology’ and Luc Boltanski’s ‘Pragmatic Sociology of Critique’ (Simon Susen); 12. The Promise of Pragmatic Sociology, Human Rights, and the State (Kate Nash); 13. ‘The Political’ in the ‘Pragmatic Sociology of Critique’: Reading Boltanski with Lefort and Castoriadis (Paul Blokker); 14. Axel Honneth and Luc Boltanski at the Epicentre of Politics (Mauro Basaure); 15. ‘The Civil Sphere’ and ‘On Justification’: Two Models of Public Culture (Irène Eulriet); 16. Luc Boltanski in Euroland (William Outhwaite and David Spence); 17. Reflections on the Indignation of the Disprivileged and the Underprivileged (Bryan S. Turner); 18. Arranging the Irreversible: The Female Condition and Contradiction (Bruno Karsenti; Translated by Peter Hamilton); 19. Luc Boltanski and the Gift: Beyond Love, beyond Suspicion...? (Ilana F. Silber); 20. The World of Worth in the Transhuman Condition: Prolegomena to a Proactionary Sociology (Steve Fuller); 21. Luc Boltanski and the Problem of Time: Notes towards a Pragmatic Sociology of the Future (Lisa Adkins); 22. An Introduction to ‘“Whatever Works”: Political Philosophy and Sociology – Luc Boltanski in Conversation with Craig Browne’ (Craig Browne); 23. ‘Whatever Works’: Political Philosophy and Sociology – Luc Boltanski in Conversation With Craig Browne (Luc Boltanski and Craig Browne); 24. Sociology of Critique or Critical Theory? Luc Boltanski and Axel Honneth in Conversation with Robin Celikates (Luc Boltanski, Axel Honneth, and Robin Celikates; Translated by Simon Susen); 25. The Fragility of Reality: Luc Boltanski in Conversation with Juliette Rennes and Simon Susen (Luc Boltanski, Juliette Rennes, and Simon Susen; Translated by Simon Susen); 26. Luc Boltanski and His Critics – An Afterword (Simon Susen); Index of Names; Index of Subjects

Sujets

• Social theory

Informations

• Publié par: Anthem Press
• Date de parution: 01 novembre 2014
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781783082971
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 5 Mo

Extrait

The Spirit of Luc Boltanski

The Spirit of

Luc Boltanski

Essays on the ‘Pragmatic Sociology of Critique’

Edited by Simon Susen and Bryan S. Turner

An imprint of

Anthem Press Wimbledon Publishing Company www.anthempress.com

This edition first published in UK and USA 2014 by ANTHEM PRESS 75–76 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 8HA, UK or PO Box 9779, London SW19 7ZG, UK and 244 Madison Ave #116, New York, NY 10016, USA

© 2014 Simon Susen and Bryan S. Turner editorial matter and selection; individual chapters © individual contributors

The moral right of

the authors has been asserted.

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

British Library CataloguinginPublication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

Library of Congress CataloginginPublication Data The spirit of Luc Boltanski : essays on the “pragmatic sociology of critique” / edited by Simon Susen and Bryan S. Turner. pages cm Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 9781783082964 (hbk) 1. Boltanski, Luc. 2. Critical theory. 3. Sociology–Philosophy. I. Susen, Simon. II. Turner, Bryan S. HM479.B654S75 2014 301.01–dc23 2014028892

ISBN13: 978 1 78308 296 4 (Hbk) ISBN10: 1 78308 296 8 (Hbk)

Cover and frontispiece photos by Catherine Hélie/Copyright Gallimard

This title is also available as an ebook.

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List of Contributors Preface Simon Susen and Bryan S. Turner

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Part I. Introductory Remarks  Luc Boltanski: His Life and Work – An Overview Simon Susen

Three Theories of Bryan S. Turner

The Spirit of Simon Susen

Justice: Preliminary Reflections

Luc Boltanski: Chapter Outline

Part II. Luc Boltanski and (Post) Classical Sociology 1. Figures of Descent from Classical Sociological Theory: Luc Boltanski Bridget Fowler

Part III. Luc Boltanski and Pragmatism 2. Did You Say ‘Pragmatic’? Luc Boltanski’s Sociology from a Pragmatist Perspective Louis Quéré and Cédric Terzi 3. Why (Not) Pragmatism? Tanja Bogusz 4. The Moral Idealism of Ordinary People as a Sociological Challenge: Reflections on the French Reception of Luc Boltanski and Laurent Thévenot’sOn Justification Cyril Lemieux

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THE SPIRIT OF LUC BOLTANSKI

Part IV. Luc Boltanski and Critique  5. Is There Such a Thing as a ‘Pragmatic Sociology of Critique’? Reflections on Luc Boltanski’sOn Critique Simon Susen (Translated by Simon Susen)  6. Strengths and Limitations of Luc Boltanski’sOn Critique Rob Stones  7. A Renewal of Social Theory That Remains Necessary: The Sociology of Critical Capacity Twenty Years After Peter Wagner  8. Enlarging Conceptions of Testing Moments and Critical Theory: Economies of Worth,On Critique, andSociology of Engagements Laurent Thévenot (Translated by Amy Jacobs)

Part V. Luc Boltanski and Critical Sociology  9. Pierre Bourdieu and the Early Luc Boltanski (1960–1975): Collective Ethos and Individual Difference Derek Robbins 10. Beyond Pragmatic Sociology: A Theoretical Compromise between ‘Critical Sociology’ and the ‘Pragmatic Sociology of Critique’ Mohamed Nachi 11. Towards a Dialogue between Pierre Bourdieu’s ‘Critical Sociology’ and Luc Boltanski’s ‘Pragmatic Sociology of Critique’ Simon Susen (Translated by Simon Susen)

Part VI. Luc Boltanski and Political Sociology 12. The Promise of Pragmatic Sociology, Human Rights, and the State Kate Nash 13. ‘The Political’ in the ‘Pragmatic Sociology of Critique’: Reading Boltanski with Lefort and Castoriadis Paul Blokker 14. Axel Honneth and Luc Boltanski at the Epicentre of Politics Mauro Basaure

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CONTENTS

15.The Civil SphereandOn JustificationPublic Culture: Two Models of Irène Eulriet 16. Luc Boltanski in Euroland William Outhwaite and David Spence 17. Reflections on the Indignation of the Disprivileged and the Underprivileged Bryan S. Turner

Part VII. Luc Boltanski and Contemporary Issues 18. Arranging the Irreversible: The Female Condition and Contradiction Bruno Karsenti (Translated by Peter Hamilton) 19. Luc Boltanski and the Gift: Beyond Love, beyond Suspicion…? Ilana F. Silber 20. The World of Worth in the Transhuman Condition: Prolegomena to a Proactionary Sociology Steve Fuller 21. Luc Boltanski and the Problem of Time: Notes towards a Pragmatic Sociology of the Future Lisa Adkins

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Part VIII. Luc Boltanski in Conversation 22. An Introduction to ‘“Whatever Works”: Political Philosophy and Sociology – Luc Boltanski in Conversation with Craig Browne’ 541 Craig Browne 23. ‘Whatever Works’: Political Philosophy and Sociology – Luc Boltanski in Conversation with Craig Browne 549 Luc Boltanski and Craig Browne 24. Sociology of Critique or Critical Theory? Luc Boltanski and Axel Honneth in Conversation with Robin Celikates 561 Luc Boltanski, Axel Honneth, and Robin Celikates (Translated by Simon Susen) 25. The Fragility of Reality: Luc Boltanski in Conversation with Juliette Rennes and Simon Susen 591 Luc Boltanski, Juliette Rennes, and Simon Susen (Translated by Simon Susen)

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Part IX. Luc Boltanski and His Critics  Luc Boltanski and His Critics: An Afterword Simon Susen

Index of Names Index of Subjects

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LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS

Lisa AdkinsSociology at the University ofthe BHP Billiton Chair of  is Newcastle, Australia, and was previously Professor of Sociology at Goldsmiths, University of London. Widely published in the areas of economic sociology, social and cultural theory, and feminist theory, her recent and ongoing research contributes to socialtheoretical understandings of time, particularly in the context of recent economic events. Publications from this research have appeared inSouth Atlantic Quarterly,Feminist Theory,FeministNORA: Nordic Journal of and Gender Researchedited collections, including, and in a number of The Legacy of Pierre Bourdieu: Critical Essays(London: Anthem Press, 2011; edited by Simon Susen and Bryan S. Turner). She has also recently contributed to debates concerning the reconstruction of social science through the volumes ‘What Is the Empirical?’ (Social TheoryEuropean Journal of 12(1), 2009; coedited with Celia Lury) andMeasure and ValueMA: Blackwell, 2012; coedited (Malden, with Celia Lury).

Mauro Basaure(PhD, University of Frankfurt) is an Associate Professor at the Escuela de Sociología (Universidad Nacional Andrés Bello, Santiago de Chile), Researcher at the Centre for Social Conflict and Cohesion Studies (COES), Santiago de Chile, and a member of the Groupe de Sociologie Politique et Morale (GSPM) at the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS), Paris. Between 2004 and 2009, he was a Research Fellow at the Institute for Social Research (Frankfurt am Main), where he cofounded the International Study Group for Critical Theory. In 2003, he became a Research Fellow of the Lateinamerika Institut at the Freie Universität Berlin. Between 1993 and 1999, he studied sociology at the University of Chile (Santiago de Chile); he received his MA in Political Philosophy from the same university in 2002. His areas of research and teaching include social theory, critical theory, contemporary French sociology, and political philosophy. His publications include the following:Erneuerung der Kritik: Axel Honneth im Gespräch(coedited with Jan Philipp Reemtsma and Rasmus Willig; Frankfurt am Main: Campus, 2009);Foucault et la Psychanalyse(coedited with Emmanuel Gripay and Ferhat Taylan; Paris: Éditions le Félin, 2009); andFoucault y el Psicoanálisis: Gramática de un Malentendido(Santiago: Cuarto Propio, 2011).

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Paul Blokker(PhD, European University Institute, Florence) is principal investigator in the research unit ‘Constitutional Politics in PostWestphalian Europe’ (CoPolis) at the Department of Sociology, University of Trento, Italy. His current research is on constitutional change, the political sociology of constitutions, multiple democracies, critique and dissent, and democratic participation (in constitutional politics). He is a member of the International Editorial Board of theEuropean Journal of Social Theory (EJST). Blokker guestedited a special issue ofEJST‘Pragmatic Sociology: on Theory, Critique, and Application’. Other recent publications include the following:New Democracies in Crisis? A Comparative Constitutional Study of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia, Routledge Advances in European Politics (London: Routledge, 2013); ‘Constitutions and Democracy in PostNational Times: A PoliticalSociological Approach’, in ‘Cosmopolitanism’, special issue, Irish SociologyJournal of  (2013); ‘Dilemmas of Democratization: From Legal Revolutions to Democratic Constitutionalism?’, special issue in honour of the centennial anniversary of Raoul Wallenberg,Nordic Journal of International Law 81(4) (2012); ‘Democracy after 1989: Reexamining the History, Impact, and Legacy of Dissidence’ (guest editor with Robert Brier), special issue,East European Politics and Societies(2011);Multiple Democracies in Europe: Political Culture in New Member States(London: Routledge, 2009).

Tanja Boguszis a Senior Researcher at the GermanFrench Center for Social Sciences, Centre Marc Bloch, and a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Social Sciences at Humboldt University, Berlin. Following her training as an industrial mechanic, and after eleven years of experience with the Federal German Workers’ Union, she studied sociology, romance philology, and journalism at various universities in Hamburg, Paris, and Berlin. She received her PhD in Sociology from the Freie Universität Berlin. She has held teaching positions at the Universities of Jena, Dresden, Berlin, and Paris. Her research focuses on social theory, pragmatism, sociology of public critique, biodiversity research, as well as science and technology studies. She has held appointments as Guest Professor and Researcher at New York University, the EHESS and the MSH in Paris (2008, 2010, and 2011/12 respectively). She obtained research grants from the Fritz Thyssen Stiftung, the German Academic Exchange Service, the Fondation Maison de l’Homme, and the French Ministère de l’Éducation Nationale. She is currently preparing her Habilitation on Experimentalismus und Soziologie. Her publications include the following:Zur Aktualität von Luc Boltanski: Einführung in sein WerkVS Verlag für (Wiesbaden: Sozialwissenschaften, 2010);Naturalismus I Konstruktivismus: Zur Produktivität