What is the Sociology of Philosophy? (Routledge Advances in Sociology)

This book introduces the sociology of philosophy as a research field, asking what can be gained by looking at the discipline of philosophy from a sociological perspective and how to go about doing it, as presented through three case studies of 20th-century Swedish and Scandinavian philosophy. After a general introduction to the topic including its brief history and central concepts, the case studies tackle questions such as how the crucial distinction between analytical and Continental philosophy came to be established in Sweden, how the Norwegian philosopher Arne Naess worked out in his early philosophy an approach to dealing with the cultural trauma of the Second World War and the Nazi occupation, and how professional philosophical careers were built in postwar Sweden. The authors then take a forward look, suggesting where the field might go from here and what its future key areas might be. This volume will appeal to scholars and students in sociology, philosophy, intellectual history, and Scandinavian studies. Cover Endorsements Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Contents Preface Acknowledgements 1. What is the sociology of philosophy?: A brief history and basic concepts Introduction A brief history of the discipline Non-Western philosophical traditions Women in philosophy Basic concepts Attention space and philosophical field Boundary work Competition, conflict, and controversy studies Constellation research Doxa Generation and motivational history Graphic presentation Intellectual self-concept Macro, meso, and micro levels Philosophical fact Positioning theory Social capital and intellectual networks Social closure and closure mechanisms Thought style and thought collective Notes References 2. Two kinds of philosophy: The making of a philosophical fact Two kinds of philosophy The making of a canon and anti-canon Towards hegemony Conclusion Epilogue Notes References 3. Philosophy as the handmaiden of democracy: Arne Naess's proposal for reform of the philosophicum degree from a cultural sociology perspective Introduction Processing trauma Cultural trauma Salvific messages 1: Logic and social engagement Logic as a basic teaching subject An experiential learning approach Ethics and social studies Salvific messages 2: Tradition and Christianity The battle line before others: Teaching the history of philosophy A Danish parallel story: Jørgen Jørgensen's salvific message Notes References 4. How to become a forgotten Swedish philosopher: A sociological study of Folke Leander's intellectual interventions, 1937-1945 Introduction Leander's ethos Theoretical starting points: Positioning theory Leander's intellectual interventions 1937-1945: "One and the same man from beginning to end" Hedenius's repositioning of himself: From an Uppsala philosopher to an analytical one Concluding discussion Methodological coda Notes References 5. A look ahead Notes References Index