E-Locus - Institutional Repository of the University of Crete

Home Collections School/Department School of Social Sciences Department of Sociology Post-graduate theses

Post-graduate theses

Current Record: 2 of 154

[Add to Basket]

Identifier

000455130

Title

Δομή – Δράση : μία προσπάθεια υπέρβασης του δυϊσμού μέσα από τη θεωρία του Pierre Bourdieu

Alternative Title

Structure – Action : an attempt to overcome dualism through the theory of Pierre Bourdieu

Author

Βαλεκάρδας, Χρήστος

Thesis advisor

Ρωμανός Βασίλης

Reviewer

Γκούνης Κωνσταντίνος
Μουζακίτης Άγγελος

Abstract

Contemporary social theory is deeply affected by the two (2) philosophical currents of 20th century, that of objectivism and that of subjectivism. Both of those schools of thought try to analyze social reality (social cohesion, social structures’ functions, subjective meaning of action etc) by different epistemological premises. However, both of those schools have strong epistemological foundations, which shaped and still shape contemporary social theory. In this Master thesis will be presented an attempt of French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu to surpass the dualism between structure and action (therefore, the dualism between structuralism and existential phenomenology or objectivism and subjectivism) which he believes they prevent social sciences of observing correctly social phenomena. In order to avoid the mistakes of other theorists which studied and analyzed Bourdieu’ s theory, his epistemological argumentation will be presented and analyzed in depth. This will be achieved by designating and elaborating on the fallacies of objectivism and subjectivism. Thus we will also be provided with suffice epistemological bases, which are necessary in order to understand the social ontology of his theoretical framework. Our central goal is to treat a big part of his polyprismatic theory by demarcating his theoretical concepts. Also, to present and analyze the structured and the structural character of the notion of habitus and by doing that, to review some paradoxes of his theory. The central scientific contribution of this paper is, through the presentation, analysis and review of the aforementioned subjects (epistemological, conceptual, theoretical framework) to give prominence to the concerns of Bourdieu about social sciences in general. Whether he surpasses the dualism between structure – action or not, our central argument is that through the work of Bourdieu we can find the foundation for a new, third path for social sciences.

Language

Greek

Subject

Bourdieu

Contemporary social theory

Epistemology

Habitus

Objectivism

Social action

Social capitals

Social fields

Social structure