Search results

Social sciences largely reflect how one's own society and the world are perceived. The article discusses the development of social sciences in the USSR, and then in Russia, focusing on four disciplines: political science, sociology, international relations, and psychology. The article shows that in the USSR, the theory of activity was developed in the field of psychology on the basis of Marxism and has gained recognition around the world. In the field of international relations in the USSR, the thesis was put forward about the peaceful coexistence of states with different social systems; today, with proper development, this thesis could be productive for understanding the coexistence in the modern world of various civilizations. The article also shows that after 1991, a significant breakthrough was made in terms of the institutionalization of the social sciences. From the subject point of view, social sciences now are not much different from those in other countries. In political science, international relations, and, partly, in sociology, there is an intensive discussion about whether Russia should integrate into global science or build its own social sciences.

Motivated by recent time use studies in criminology, this study examined whether time diaries are suitable for measuring short and rare activities such as offending. The study compared time diary data collected among 843 adolescents from the conurbation of The Hague (the Netherlands) with stylized questionnaire data from the same respondents, and with stylized questionnaire data from another sample that is representative for Dutch adolescents (N = 1849). Based on the reported offenses in the diaries (N = 101), findings indicate that time diaries may underestimate population offense rates and may not capture offenses committed by low-frequent offenders. On the other hand, time diaries seem able to measure changes in individuals' involvement in offending over time and to capture most of the situational conditions under which offenses occur. The study concludes with suggestions for dealing with the problems associated with measuring short and rare activities.

Discusses the nature and social functions of idealism. A cultural ideal, combining values from many spheres, underlies all purposeful collective human activity. (CP)

Truth is in trouble. In response, this book presents a new conception of truth. It recognizes that prominent philosophers have questioned whether the idea of truth is important. Some have asked why we even need it. Their questions reinforce broader trends in Western society, where many wonder whether or why we should pursue truth. Indeed, some pundits say we have become a "post-truth" society. Yet there are good reasons not to embrace the cultural Zeitgeist or go with the philosophical flow, reasons to regard truth as a substantive and socially significant idea. This book explains why. First it argues that propositional truth is only one kind of truth--an important kind, but not all important. Then it shows how propositional truth belongs to the more comprehensive process of truth as a whole. This process is a dynamic correlation between human fidelity to societal principles and a life-giving disclosure of society. The correlation comes to expression in distinct social domains of truth, where either propositional or nonpropositional truth is primary. The final chapters lay out five such domains: science, politics, art, religion, and philosophy. Anyone who cares about the future of truth in society will want to read this pathbreaking book.

"While there have been many sociological and psychological studies of humor, few can claim to be funny. Humor may be regarded as a legitimate topic for social scientists, but in general, they present their research rather seriously. In academia, humor tends to be trivialized and dismissed. This is more than just a missed opportunity for otherwise fun-loving academics. In literature, it is readily accepted that comedy is integral to the human condition. To ignore humor is to reject a potentially insightful methodological approach, as the humorous worldview presents unique opportunities for investigating the social. This book constitutes a unique resource, presenting chapters on irony, satire and parody as tools for analysis and means of representation, as well as considering humor in the conduct of research, and offering guidance on getting published. Through presenting examples from across the social sciences, the book seeks to persuade and inspire rather than to prescribe an approach - a closure which would (ironically) be inimical to the multiplicity and ambiguity which characterizes humorous research and lends it its distinctive edge"--

1. Breaking the gender stereotypes in sports / Kari Fasting -- 2. Reflections on Muslim women and sport / Tansin Benn, Gertrud Pfister and Haifaa Jawad -- 3. Women, sport and policy / Darlene A. Kluka and Anneliese Goslin -- 4. How gender order is enacted in physical education : the French didactique research approach / Chantal Amade-Escot -- 5. Adapted physical activity : developments from an international perspective / Gudrun Doll-Tepper -- 6. Relfections and influences : this way. this explains my reality: critical race theory in sport and leisure / Kevin Hylton -- 7. Sport, exercise and health : a social science perspective / Joseph Maguire -- 8. Walk the talk? How the EU and the UN contribute to the development of holistic sport policies / Jonas Burgheim, Karen Petry and Ben Wienberg -- 9. The human capital model : realising the benefits of sport and physical activity / Richard Bailey.[et al.]. -- 10. From the creation of a concept to the globalisation of physical literacy / Margaret Whitehead and Patricia Maude -- 11. Valuing leisure practices : towards a theoretical framework / Michael McNamee.

This edited collection brings together internationally renowned scholars to explore green criminology through the interdisciplinary lenses of power, harm and justice. The chapters provide innovative case study analyses from around the world that seek to advance theoretical, policy and practice discourses about environmental harm.