Social Practices
A Wittgensteinian Approach to Human Activity and the Social

Addresses the basic structures of social life drawing on the work of Wittgenstein.

Theodore R. Schatzki (Author)

9780521560221, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 13 September 1996

260 pages
23.6 x 15.8 x 2.4 cm, 0.536 kg

"Throughout, Schatzki is a subtle reasoner and an articulate writer. His views are certainly important...." Stephen Satris, Review of Metaphysics

This book addresses key topics in social theory such as the basic structures of social life, the character of human activity, and the nature of individuality. Drawing on the work of Wittgenstein, the author develops an account of social existence that argues that social practices are the fundamental phenomenon in social life. This approach offers insight into the social formation of individuals, surpassing and critiquing the existing practice theories of Bourdieu, Giddens, Lyotard and Oakeshott. In bringing Wittgenstein's work to bear on issues of social theory the book shows the relevance of his work to a body of thought to which it has never been applied. The book will be of particular interest to philosophers of the social sciences, a wide range of social theorists in political science and sociology, as well as some literary theorists.

Abbreviations
Preface and acknowledgements
1. The emergence of practice
2. Mind/action/body
3. The social constitution of mind/action and body
4. Social practices
5. Dimensions of practice theory
6. Practices and sociality
Postscript: individual and totality
Notes
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Social & political philosophy [HPS]