After four decades in the profession, Rutgers sociologist Horowitz (Daydreams and Nightmares, 1990, etc.) looks in horror at the ideological grave into which he says his discipline has fallen, and attempts to resurrect the corpse before it rots away. Horowitz lays the blame for sociology's lamentable state at the feet of Marxist radicals, still shoving their worldview down the throats of college students even after the demise of Communism. Unyielding partisans such as these have polarized social science, Horowitz says, and their brand of left-wing fascism has taken sociology from the intellectual mainstream to a never-never land beyond the pale. This sort of tough talk turns to discussion of other, more reasonable, sectarian tendencies, such as those found in James S. Coleman's Foundations of Social Theory, with its espousal of a ``rational choice'' doctrine and its view of the individual as superior to the state. Envisioning social science as vital to the development of sound public policy, Horowitz makes an effort to reclaim it by advocating a return to first principles- -namely, a focus on the answers to social problems as revealed through research into everyday life, with sociology serving ``as a sensitizing agency for behavior.'' If sociology and other social sciences were given broader latitude and liberated from politics, they could become an educational link between a scientific and more traditional curriculum, creating a well-integrated culture, as well as a beacon to pierce the ideological darkness. No doubt Horowitz cares deeply about his field—but his scattershot indictments and pronouncements offer little by way of a specific plan of action, allowing sociology's crisis to lose ground to musings on the social sciences in general.
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1993
ISBN: 0-19-507316-9
Page Count: 288
Publisher: Oxford Univ.
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1993
This a book of earlier, philosophical essays concerned with the essential "absurdity" of life and the concept that- to overcome the strong tendency to suicide in every thoughtful man-one must accept life on its own terms with its values of revolt, liberty and passion. A dreary thesis- derived from and distorting the beliefs of the founders of existentialism, Jaspers, Heldegger and Kierkegaard, etc., the point of view seems peculiarly outmoded. It is based on the experience of war and the resistance, liberally laced with Andre Gide's excessive intellectualism. The younger existentialists such as Sartre and Camus, with their gift for the terse novel or intense drama, seem to have omitted from their philosophy all the deep religiosity which permeates the work of the great existentialist thinkers. This contributes to a basic lack of vitality in themselves, in these essays, and ten years after the war Camus seems unaware that the life force has healed old wounds... Largely for avant garde aesthetes and his special coterie.
Pub Date: Sept. 26, 1955
ISBN: 0679733736
Page Count: 228
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Sept. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1955
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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