Metaphorical Society: An Invitation to Social Theory

By Daniel Rigney

Book Overview

Over decades and centuries, Rigney here argues, social theorists have variously likened societies to organisms and living systems, to machines, battlefields, legal systems, marketplaces, games, theatrical productions, and discourses. Most interestingly, Rigney deftly shows how nearly all Western social theories fit with one or more of the metaphors. He emphasizes a humanistic understanding of society with an emphasis on the creative agency of social actors and communities. The book offers students a rich understanding of social theory, yet it is simultaneously concise and broad ranging, allowing instructors to further pursue detailed exploration of any perspectives they choose.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0742509389
• ISBN13: 9780742509382
• Release Date: March 2001
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Length: 254 Pages
• Weight: 0.78 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Social theory : mataphors

Social theory is explained by means of metephorical model of society.Book shows by means of metaphor, roots of social theories like functionalism , system theory , conflict theory, exchange theory, rational choice theory and symbolic interactionism. Metaphors used are society as organism,machines,wars,legal systems,economic markets,games,theatres and discourses. Human societies,like biological organisms,are complexly structured systems composed of innumerable subsystems,each performing one or other vital functions for the system as living whole.Society as a 'set of interconnected and mutually interacting elements' this is interwined with the development of functionalist theory and also system theory. Metaphor machine,it pictures human societies as artificial mechanisms analogues to technological inventions which can be designed and redesigned to accomplish human goals. Metaphor war,considers conflict as acentral dynamic of human history which is viewed by machiavelli,Hobbes and Karl Marx.Conflict theorists often discern subtle forms of economic,political and psychological violence occuring in the routine operations of social institutions.So conflict theory is considered. Metaphor law,or society as legal order,by this means,we are by nature the makers,followers,breakers,adjudicators,enforcers of social norms both formal and informal. Metaphor market place, it depicts society as an elaborate network of exchange relationships among individuals and groups.Inspired by Adam Smith's classical economics and developed by social exchange and rational choice theorists,this metaphor views that in prevailing culture of capitalism,social relations as transactions based on self interested calculations of reward and cost. Metaphor game,depicts social life as a spirited and intensely competitive quest for prizes and payoffs. It highlights strategy,tectics,deception,team loyalty in social relations. Metaphor theatre,depicts people as social actors playing their prescribed roles in accordance with received cultural scripls. Lastly,metaphor discourse explained symbolic interactionism. Image of human societies as linguistic creations-artificial realities constructed socially through the medium of symbols.