This study provides a close textual analysis of Durkheimian sociology from the standpoint of critical structuralism. Durkheim's social ontology is analyzed as a sociologistic theory of reality driven by an apparent tension between social determinism and individualism. This tension is probed to reveal its ultimate resolution in an absolute social determinism. This sociologistic social determinism is then scrutinized, as a potential affinity beween Durkheimianism and structuralism. It is demonstrated that Durkheim's ontological social determinism, while absolute, is coextensive with an...

Reflecting the cultural diversity in critical theory, Current perspectives in social theory presents work from a variety of theoretical traditions demonstrating the problems of sociological theorizing. Volume 21 echoes a current trend by publishing articles that reconsider Marx, Althusser and Gramsci.

This volume is unified by its perspective, Critical Theory. It is diversified by the objects to which Critical Theory has been applied, and to the subjects who are writing Critical Theory. It is hoped that the diverse unity, or the recognition of this unity, of traditional Critical Theory and these objects for Critical Theory, and these subjects of Critical Theory, is the beginning of a New Wave, a necessary coalition in theoretical and practical politics.

This volume discusses, and manifests, three interrelated perspectives in social theory. First, that all knowledge, including scientific knowledge, is theoretical: there are alternative perspectives, or theories, about any phenomenon. Second, that all knowledge, including scientific knowledge is political: these alternative perspectives are contested, as they are related to different groups with different interests. Third, that all knowledge, including scientific knowledge, is social: alternative perspectives have alternative social causes and alternative social effects.