Description
Book Synopsis Mary Douglas’s innovative explanations for styles of human thought and for the dynamics of institutional change have furnished a distinctive and powerful theory of how conflicts are managed, yet her work remains astonishingly poorly appreciated in social science disciplines. This volume introduces Douglas’s theories, and outlines the ways in which her work is of continuing importance for the future of the social sciences. Mary Douglas: Understanding Human Thought and Conflict shows how Douglas laid out the agenda for revitalizing social science by reworking Durkheim’s legacy for today, and reviews the growing body of research across the social sciences which has used, tested or developed her approach.
Trade Review “The authors are able to skillfully synthesise Douglas’ wide range of material, making clear her most important theories. In sum, this volume provides a roadmap to Douglas’ work, and is highly relevant for anyone interested in social organisation, institutional theory, multidisciplinary approaches to conflict, and Durkheimian theory.” • Anthropology Matters
“Divided into four beautifully written thematic chapters and a concluding section dedicated to a final assessment of her contribution to understanding social thought and conflict, the book is a sort of critical (but affectionate) hermeneutic of Douglas’ work.” • Anthropological Journal of European Cultures
“…a very substantial undertaking and a highly comprehensive appreciation of Douglas’s corpus. Clearly written and very much a labour of love, it will be indispensable to anyone wishing to get to grips with that corpus.” • Anthropological Forum
“Both authors enjoyed a long acquaintance with Douglas and bring a fresh perspective to her collected work. They demonstrate that, more than most, she had a definite project that defined and shaped her output, even if not every step in that path was necessarily successful or even in a straight line… it is remarkable to trace the unfolding of an intellect and the implications of a theory, and we can hope that more anthropologists will attempt similar exegeses of other greats in the field.” • Anthropology Review
Table of Contents List of Figures
Preface
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Chapter 1. Social organization in Microcosm: Anomalies and Ritual Concentrate Conflict
Chapter 2. Comparing on a Grand Scale: Elementary Forms do the Organizing
Chapter 3. Building Fundamental Explanations: Rituals do the Institutionalizing, and Institutions Make Change
Chapter 4. Analytic Method is also Ritual Peacemaking: Thinking in Circles Helps to Defuse Conflict
Chapter 5. Douglas’s Contribution to Understanding Human Thought and Conflict
Coda
References
Index
