Painful Bits (XXI)

SEPTEMBER 28, 2005

Well, three years since my last post, but I come back with something good... An article by Peter Berger in which he rethinks —almost to the point of recall—his many years ago brilliant, and celebrated, invitation to Sociology...

At this stage of my life I find that I have little stake in my identity as a sociologist. If asked for my academic discipline, I will routinely come up with this identification, but it has little to do with what I do or what I consider myself to be. I pay scant attention to what people in the discipline are engaged in, and I daresay that they return the compliment. This is quite all right. But I am sometimes reminded of the fact that, in my impetuous youth, I rather passionately invited others to this discipline, both in published writings (which, to boot, are still in print) and in my teaching. Should I repent this action? Should I perhaps issue a solemn disinvitation, so as not to be responsible for yet more innocent students being seduced into what may well be a bankrupt enterprise? I think that the answer to both questions is a less than hearty no —no, because I continue to think that the sort of sociology I once advocated is as valid today as it ever was —less than hearty because I am aware of the fact that this is not what most people who call themselves sociologists are actually doing. Is there any chance of changing this state of affairs? Probably not, and for good sociological reasons. However, before one assesses the prospects for therapy, one should have some clarity regarding the diagnosis.

Thanks to Angelfire for the original article.

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