The sociological imagination

C. Wright Mills is best remembered for his highly acclaimed work The Sociological Imagination, in which he set forth his views on how social science should be pursued. Hailed upon publication as a cogent and hard-hitting critique, The Sociological Imagination took issue with the ascendant schools of sociology in the United States, calling for a humanist sociology connecting the social, personal, and historical dimensions of our lives. The sociological imagination Mills calls for is a sociological vision, a way of looking at the world that can see links between the apparently private problems of the individual and important social issues. Leading sociologist Todd Gitlin brings this fortieth anniversary edition up to date with a lucid introduction in which he considers the ways social analysis has progressed since Mills first published his study in 1959. A classic in the field, this book still provides rich food for our imagination. In This Book, The Author Set Forth His Views On How Social Science Should Be Pursued. The Book Took Issue With The Ascendant Schools Of Sociology In The United States, Calling For A Humanist Sociology Connecting The Social, Personal, And Historical Dimensions Of Our Lives. The Author's View Is A Way Of Looking At The World That Can See Links Between The Apparently Private Problems Of The Individual And Important Social Issues. This New Edition Contains An Afterword By A Current Leading Sociologist In Which He Considers The Contributions The Author Made With His Original Work, And Examines How His Research Relates To American Society Today. 1. The Promise -- 2. Grand Theory -- 3. Abstracted Empiricism -- 4. Types Of Practicality -- 5. The Bureaucratic Ethos -- 6. Philosophies Of Science -- 7. The Human Variety -- 8. Uses Of History -- 9. On Reason And Freedom -- 10. On Politics -- Appendix : On Intellectual Craftsmanship -- Acknowledgments -- Afterword / Todd Gitlin -- Index. C. Wright Mills ; With A New Afterword By Todd Gitlin. Originally Published: 1959. Fortieth Anniversary Edition. -- Cover. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "C.Wright Mills is best remembered for his highly acclaimed work The Sociological Imagination, in which he set forth his views on how social science should be pursued. The book took issue with the ascendant schools of sociology in the United States, calling for a humanist sociology connecting the social, personal, and historical dimensions of our lives. Mills's sociological imagination is in fact a sociological vision, a way of looking at the world that can see links between the apparently private problems of the individual and important social issues." "Leading sociologist Todd Gitlin brings this fortieth anniversary edition up to date with a lucid afterword in which he considers the manifold contributions Mills made with this pioneering work, and examines how Mills's research relates to American society today."--BOOK JACKET. "C. Wright Mills is best remembered for his highly acclaimed work The Sociological Imagination, in which he set forth his views on how social science should be pursued. The book took issue with the ascendant schools of sociology in the United States, calling for a humanist sociology connecting the social, personal, and historical dimensions of our lives. Mills's sociological imagination is in fact a sociological vision, a way of looking at the world that can see links between the apparently private problems of the individual and important social issues." "Leading sociologist Todd Gitlin brings this fortieth anniversary edition up to date with a lucid afterword in which he considers the manifold contributions Mills made with this pioneering work, and examines how Mills's research relates to American society today."--Jacket Contents......Page 8 1. The Promise......Page 10 2. Grand Theory......Page 32 3. Abstracted Empiricism......Page 57 4. Types of Practicality......Page 83 5. The Bureaucratic Ethos......Page 107 6. Philosophies of Science......Page 126 7. The Human Variety......Page 139 8. Uses of History......Page 150 9. On Reason and Freedom......Page 172 10. On Politics......Page 184 Appendix: On Intellectual Craftsmanship......Page 202 Acknowledgments......Page 234 Afterword by Todd Gitlin......Page 236 C......Page 250 H......Page 251 M......Page 252 R......Page 253 U......Page 254 Y......Page 255 Oxford University Press, USA ISBN-13:,9780195133738 Contents 8 1. The Promise 10 2. Grand Theory 32 3. Abstracted Empiricism 57 4. Types of Practicality 83 5. The Bureaucratic Ethos 107 6. Philosophies of Science 126 7. The Human Variety 139 8. Uses of History 150 9. On Reason and Freedom 172 10. On Politics 184 Appendix: On Intellectual Craftsmanship 202 Acknowledgments 234 Afterword by Todd Gitlin 236 Index 250 A 250 B 250 C 250 D 251 E 251 F 251 G 251 H 251 I 252 J 252 K 252 L 252 M 252 N 253 O 253 P 253 R 253 S 254 T 254 U 254 V 255 W 255 Y 255