For Weber: Essays on the Sociology of Fate (Published in association with Theory, Culture & Society)

For Weber is recognized widely as one of the most incisive and stimulating books on Weber in the post-war period. Writing in defence of Weber's sociology against the criticism of academic sociology by Marxists such as Louis Althusser, Bryan Turner, a leading Weberian scholar, rejects the view that Weber's sociology is bourgeois, subjectivist and individualistic. This Second Edition, now available in paperback, includes a new Preface which reviews the scholarship on Weber since 1981. The book also provides a survey of the strengths and weaknesses of the major sociological approaches in the post-war period. Available In Paperback For The First Time, For Weber: Essays On The Sociology Of Fate Is Widely Recognised As One Of The Most Incisive And Stimulating Books On Weber In The Post-war Period. Written As A Defence Of Max Weber's Sociology Against The Criticisms Of Academic Sociology By Marxists Such As Louis Althusser, The Author Rejects The View That Weber's Sociology Is Bourgeois, Subjectivist And Individualistic. He Examines A Major Theme In Weber's Historical Sociology, Namely The Unintended Consequences (fate) Of Social Action. The Theme Of The Fatefulness Of Capitalist Civilisation Was Derived From Nietzsche's Critical Enquiry Into The Condition Of Modern Society. Turner Illustrates This Theme In A Series Of Chapters On Religion, Medicine, Law, Feudalism, The Family And The Capitalist Economy. He Also Provides A Survey Of The Strengths And Weaknesses Of The Major Sociological Approaches In The Postwar Period. This Long-awaited Paperback Edition Contains A Major New Introduction Reviewing The Scholarship On Weber Since 1981. Among The Subjects It Covers Are The Fall Of Communism, The Demise Of Marxist Theory And The Rise Of Postmodernism. Without Doubt, Turner Is One Of The World's Leading Weberian Scholars And This Book Provides Students Of Sociology And Social Theory With His Most Comprehensive And Accessible Discussions Of The Richness And Relevance Of Weber's Sociology For Contemporary Social Theory.--book Jacket. Introduction: Marx And Nietzsche -- 1. Logic And Fate In Weber's Sociology -- 2. Weber And Structural Marxism -- 3. Weber And The Frankfurt School -- 4. Religious Stratification -- 5. Theodicy, The Career Of A Concept -- 6. Weber On Medicine And Religion -- 7. Feudalism And Prebendalism -- 8. Weber And The Sociology Of Development -- 9. Weber's Orientalism -- 10. Family, Property And Ideology -- 11. Weber And The Sociology Of Law -- 12. Weber And Late Capitalism. Bryan S. Turner. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 369-397) And Index. Examines a major theme in Weber's historical sociology, namely the unintended consequences (fate) of social action. This title covers the fall of Communism, the demise of Marxist theory and the rise of postmodernism. It also provides a survey of the strengths and weaknesses of the major sociological approaches in the post-war period. This study is a defence of Max Weber's sociology against the criticisms of academic sociology made by Marxists such as Althusser. It rejects the view that Weber's sociology is bourgeois, subjectivist and individualistic. Topics include religion, the family and the capitalist economy.