Geheugen, vertraging en opstand : paradigmata in de Franse sociale theorie

Samenvatting

The ideas of principal French social theorists are placed in a framework focusing on three essential conceptual dilemmas: object vs subject (domain of being), part vs whole (domain of knowing), & order vs change (domain of belonging). Regarding the first two, four historical paradigms concerning notions of social or collective memory are distinguished: (1) subjectivism & individualism, represented by H. Bergson; (2) subjectivism & holism, represented by Maurice Halbwachs; (3) objectivism & individualism, represented by Gabriel Tarde; & (4) objectivism & holism, represented by Emile Durkheim. Subsequently, the question of whether the notion of social or collective memory is disappearing or being substituted in modern sociology is addressed. The concept of systematic retardation of memory is traced in the work of Pierre Bourdieu & Alain Touraine & related to the third set of dilemmas. It is found that Touraine moved from a prophetic focus on subjectivism, holism, & difference to a social-technical focus on objectivism, individualism, & unity, whereas Bourdieu moved from a preaching focus on objectivism, holism, & unity to an "unmasking" social-emancipatory discourse of subjectivism, individualism, & difference. Adapted from the source document.