Jean-Sébastien Guy

Bio: Jean-Sébastien Guy is an academic researcher from Dalhousie University. The author has contributed to research in topic(s): Globalization & Social system. The author has an hindex of 5, co-authored 18 publication(s) receiving 77 citation(s).

Metric and Nonmetric in Weber and Durkheim

Abstract: This chapter substantiates the concepts of metric and nonmetric in a sociologically meaningful way by extracting a material appropriate for this from the writings of Max Weber and Emile Durkheim. Their respective works are reinterpreted in non-orthodox (i.e. non-Weberian and non-Durkheimian) ways so as to illuminate certain meta-patterns that are then brought in parallel with the metric/nonmetric distinction. In Weber’s sociology, the tie between action and actor is replaced with a focus on the affinities and antagonisms between types of actions. This uncovers a continuum going from charisma to patrimonialism to the rational-legal authority and the separation of the values-spheres. In Durkheim’s sociology, the universalism of Homo duplex is rejected as false, while the variability implied by the division of labor in society is reemphasized in compensation. This shows that the concepts of individual, society and humanity can take on multiple definitions, and that these definitions co-vary.

DeLanda and the Metric/Nonmetric Distinction

Abstract: The concepts of metric and nonmetric have been previously developed by Manuel DeLanda in his book Intensive Science and Virtual Philosophy. This chapter discusses DeLanda’s project by concentrating on two major ideas: multiplicity and assemblage. As critique, the chapter contends that DeLanda does not take full advantage of the concepts of metric and nonmetric. Finally, the said concepts are developed and articulated around four dichotomies: (1) whether a difference between member and non-member is distinguishable or not; (2) the opposition between reversible and irreversible; (3) whether a difference between micro and macro is distinguishable or not; and (4) the opposition between “structure as agency” and “agency as structure.” Overall, the chapter shows that, in sociological research, there are no units of analysis that remain absolutely constant across social reality. By setting up the metric/nonmetric distinction, we can determine rigorously how these units happen to vary.

Bourdieu, Giddens and Foucault Through the Metric/Nonmetric Distinction

Abstract: The metric/nonmetric distinction not only provides a solution to the problem of structure and agency (diagnosed as case of forced perspective) but also help in bringing a renewed unity in the field of sociological theory. This chapter uses the distinction to organize the ideas of Pierre Bourdieu, Anthony Giddens and Michel Foucault along a single continuum. Bourdieu’s concepts (field, habitus, capital, practice) illuminate the nonmetric aspects of social reality while missing the metric ones. Giddens offers the opposite image: his structuration theory sheds light on the metric aspects of social reality (notably through the concept of time-space distanciation), but leaves the nonmetric aspects in the dark. Foucault falls in-between the two: his analysis of power mixes nonmetric elements with metric ones, although he fails to formulate the relation between them in the form of one distinction.

Form and Medium in Luhmann’s Systems Theory

Abstract: While the concepts of metric and nonmetric aim at describing different social forms, the latter co-exist side by side in social reality, thus making for the possibility of one form impacting on another. To account for these conditions, this chapter turns to Niklas Luhmann to discuss his concept of medium. After a quick overview of Luhmann’s systems theory, the chapter develops a critical reflection in order to introduce the concept of crowd as a medium in itself—not any crowd, but a metaphorical crowd made out of countless individuals and extending infinitely in all directions—and makes the point that communications as operations of social systems taking place inside that crowd need not be always reduced to a conversation between two participants (dyadic model). The second half of the chapter discusses Luhmann’s theory of modernity and shows how his analysis, once partially adapted, correlates with the metric/nonmetric distinction.

Cognition In The Wild

Abstract: Thank you very much for reading cognition in the wild. Maybe you have knowledge that, people have look hundreds times for their favorite books like this cognition in the wild, but end up in malicious downloads. Rather than enjoying a good book with a cup of coffee in the afternoon, instead they cope with some harmful virus inside their laptop. cognition in the wild is available in our digital library an online access to it is set as public so you can download it instantly. Our book servers spans in multiple countries, allowing you to get the most less latency time to download any of our books like this one. Merely said, the cognition in the wild is universally compatible with any devices to read.

Law as a Social System

Abstract: No abstract available.

Qu'est-ce que la philosophie?

Abstract: La conception de l'essence de la philosophie qui vient d'etre esquissee paraitrait se recommander pour plusieurs raisons: a) Elle presente la philosophie comme etant une science, en intention et potentiellement, au meme sens du mot „science“ que par exemple la physique ou la biologie: mais une science dont le sujet propre de recherches est different de celui des sciences naturelles; et d'ailleurs une science qui n'est pas encore tres avancee, parce que son sujet propre, et la methode de recherche qui lui est appropriee n'ont generalement pas ete discernes d'une facon adequate. b) En faisant une distinction entre les problemes pratiques a resoudre par la philosophie, et les problemes de philosophie, qui sont theoriques, notre conception rend justice, d'une part a l'opinion que la reflection philosophique peut et doit contribuer a la sagesse dans la conduite des affaires pratiques, et d'autre part au fait que beaucoup des problemes theoriques de la philosophie sont aussi abstrus, abstraits et techniques, et en apparence aussi denues d'implications pratiques, que beaucoup des problemes de physique theorique ou des mathematiques pures; mais la relation entre la theorie et la pratique est logiquement la meme dans les deux cas. En consequence meme les questions philosophiques les plus abstraites, quand elles ne sont pas des pseudo-questions et sont bien posees, ont potentiellement une importance pratique de l'espece particuliere qui a ete indiquee. c) La conception de la philosophie que nous avons ebauchee fait place, dans le domaine general de la philosophie, non seulement a la morale et aux autres branches de la philosophie dites normatives, mais aussi a la metaphysique et a l'epistemologie, tant que les hypotheses de ces dernieres ne sont pas dogmatiques, mais peuvent etre mises a l'epreuve consistant a voir si elles s'accordent avec les faits observables de l'espece appropriee, aussi bien qu'a l'epreuve de coherence interne et de coherence reciproque ou mutuelle. d) La conception philosophique presentee specifie quelle est l'espece de faits pouvant servir de reference pour controler empiriquement la validite ou l'invalidite des speculations philosophiques quand elles ne sont pas presentees comme des revelations d'oracle, et ainsi rend claire la forme particuliere que la methode scientifique, generatrice de connaissances, et non de simples croyances, doit assumer, lorsqu'elle est appliquee au sujet de recherches qui distingue la philosophie des autres sciences. e) Finalement, notre conception met en relief le fait que les mots (et en particulier les termes de valeur, et autres termes philosophiques) sont des outils crees par l'homme tout autant qu'une hache, un moteur electrique ou une maison; que les mots sont les moyens les plus typiques par lesquels les hommes s'influencent reciproquement, et enfin que les mots influencent les sentiments, les croyances et les actions, meme quand ils sont mal compris ou employes a tort. En consequence l'analyse ou la fixation de leur signification, qui permet de les appliquer avec discernement et sans malentendu aux faits, actions ou evenements concrets, est une tâche de la plus haute importance pour l'homme vivant en societe.