"It's like the story of Little Town," an influential actor says in "Rationality and Power" when choosing a metaphor to describe how he manipulated rationality to gain power, "The bell ringer . . . has to set the church clock. So he calls the telephone exchange and asks what time it is, and the telephone operator looks out the window towards the church clock and says, 'It's five o'clock.' 'Good, ' says the bell ringer, 'then my clock is correct.'"
In the Enlightenment tradition, rationality is considered well-defined, independent of context; we know what rationality is, and its meaning is...

Anthony Giddens is one of the world's most prominent and prolific sociologists, and yet he is also a difficult study for the beginning student of sociology. This is the first introduction to the work of Giddens, including the major part of his sociological and social theoretical project. The author traces Giddens' development from the late sixties to the nineties in a straightforward, readable style, covering all parts of Giddens's sociology in a well-arranged summary. Also featured is a lengthy interview with Giddens by the author, and the most comprehensive Giddens bibliography to date.

What is life? Is it just the biologically familiar--birds, trees, snails, people--or is it an infinitely complex set of patterns that a computer could simulate? What role does intelligence play in separating the organic from the inorganic, the living from the inert? Does life evolve along a predestined path, or does it suddenly emerge from what appeared lifeless and programmatic?

In this easily accessible and wide-ranging survey, Claus Emmeche outlines many of the challenges and controversies involved in the dynamic and curious science of artificial life. Emmeche describes the...

Making Social Science Matter presents an exciting new approach to social science, including theoretical argument, methodological guidelines, and examples of practical application. Why has social science failed in attempts to emulate natural science and produce normal theory? Bent Flyvbjerg argues that the strength of social science is in its rich, reflexive analysis of values and power, essential to the social and economic development of any society. Richly informed, powerfully argued, and clearly written, this book provides essential reading for all those in the social and behavioral...

What's the most important skill in becoming adept at managing other people? A proficiency that is fast-becoming an essential in today's work world: Social intelligence. Now, with this fascinating book, you can master the skills and intelligence you need to establish the strong interpersonal relationships essential to success in the workplace and at home.