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"In this unprecedented collection, Donald N. Levine rejuvenates the field of social theory in the face of lagging institutional support. The work canvasses the universe of types of theory work in sociology and offers probing examples from his array of scholarly investigations. Social Theory as a Vocation throws fresh light on the texts of classic authors (Comte, Durkheim, Simmel, Weber, Park, Parsons, and Merton). Ranging widely, its substantive chapters deal with the sociology of strangers and the somatic dimensions of social conflict; the social functions of ambiguity and the use of metaphors in science; contemporary dilemmas of Ethiopian society; logical tensions in the ideas of freedom and reason; and the meaning of nationhood in our global era. The book includes Levine's transformative analysis of the field of Ethiopian studies, and his acclaimed interpretation of the discontents of modernity. It makes the bold move to merge philosophically informed analyses with empirical work. Finally, Levine focuses on what he views as the contemporary crisis of liberal education, and offers suggestions for ways to stimulate new efforts in teaching and learning to do social theory. This book is an integral contribution to social science collections and should be read by all interested in the future of the social sciences."--Provided by the publisher

Greater Ethiopia combines history, anthropology, and sociology to answer two major questions. Why did Ethiopia remain independent under the onslaught of European expansionism while other African political entities were colonized? And why must Ethiopia be considered a single cultural region despite its political, religious, and linguistic diversity?Donald Levine's interdisciplinary study makes a substantial contribution both to Ethiopian interpretive history and to sociological analysis. In his new preface, Levine examines Ethiopia since the overthrow of the monarchy in the 1970s.""Ethiopian sc

Greater Ethiopia combines history, anthropology, and sociology to answer two major questions. Why did Ethiopia remain independent under the onslaught of European expansionism while other African political entities were colonized? And why must Ethiopia be considered a single cultural region despite its political, religious, and linguistic diversity?Donald Levine's interdisciplinary study makes a substantial contribution both to Ethiopian interpretive history and to sociological analysis. In his new preface, Levine examines Ethiopia since the overthrow of the monarchy in the 1970s.""Ethiopian sc.

Intro -- Contents -- Preface -- 1. The Flight from Ambiguity -- 2. Ambiguity and Modernity -- 3. The Flexibility of Traditional Cultures -- 4. Emile Durkheim, Univocalist Manque -- 5. Useful Confusions: Simmel's Stranger and His Followers -- 6. Ambivalent Encounters: Disavowals of Simmel by Durkheim, Weber, Lukacs, Park, and Parsons -- 7. Rationality and Freedom, Inveterate Multivocals -- 8. Freud, Weber, and Modern Rationales of Conscience -- 9. On Subjective and Objective Rationality in Simmel … and Weber … and Parsons -- Epilogue: Two Cheers for Ambiguity in Science -- Appendix: Weber's Summary Formulation Regarding the Forms of Rationality -- Acknowledgments -- References -- Index.

InformationATTENTION: Due to copy-right no online publication is provided.

This brief introduction to the essays in this volume offers commentary on the conference that generated them while expanding on its central theme, "creative incorporation," drawn from the author's 1974 book, Greater Ethiopia. The essay provides a provisional semantic matrix that defines four types of creativity: in problem-solving; in finding new ways to combine existing elements; to provide for spontaneous expression of energies; and to invent novel forms. The conclusion suggests that all of these processes occur among Ethiopians in diaspora, where they are inflected by the intensity that Ethiopians manifest in their attitude toward their homeland. (14 January 2009)

This brief introduction to the essays in this volume offers commentary on the conference that generated them while expanding on its central theme, "creative incorporation," drawn from the author's 1974 book, Greater Ethiopia. The essay provides a provisional semantic matrix that defines four types of creativity: in problem-solving; in finding new ways to combine existing elements; to provide for spontaneous expression of energies; and to invent novel forms. The conclusion suggests that all of these processes occur among Ethiopians in diaspora, where they are inflected by the intensity that Ethiopians manifest in their attitude toward their homeland. (14 January 2009)