„There is nothing more practical than a good theory“ (Kurt Lewin)
Like all disciplines of the social sciences that have been developed in the 19th Century, Sociology has deep philosophical and theoretical roots.
Theoretical knowledge is fundamental, when one wants to be able to think sociologically. Merely considering questions, problems and issues from contemporary sociological perspectives is insufficient. Instead, to avoid reinventing the wheel, one should also be able to engage with current questions, problems and issues by deploying the insights of earlier classics, such as Karl Marx, Gabriel de Tarde, Émile Durkheim, Georg Simmel and Max Weber to generate more sustainable sociological reflections. Understanding the philosophical underpinnings of different modes of sociological thought is an essential prerequisite for being able to develop analytical tools.
At the Chair of General Sociology and Sociological Theory, we understand our approach to theory as the (historical) product of practices of thinking and communicating, that is: intellectual labour. It is pivotal that such intellectual labour is grounded empirically in everyday experiences.
This is why in our practices of learning, teaching and research, we focus on concrete, empirical occurances, even if we are engaged in developing concepts and analytical models. Knowledge does not exclusively evolve around primary experiences, but without such experiences, knowledge cannot emerge at all. Experienced-oriented knowledge should be further developed through theoretical reflection and empirical testing, including, for example, observations, document analyses, experiments and forensics, by means of which theories can be corroborated, refined or rejected.
Our objective is to innovate ways in which sociological theory is being generated and developed. We are convinced that a focus on the epistemic practices of intellectual labour should also include a critical reflection on what the discipline of sociology has been and could become.
In our teaching and research, the following matters of concerns are prioritized:
- Core concepts and perspectives in the history of sociological modes of thought
- Empirical Philosophy
- Epistemic practices
- Place, Space and Culture
- Processes of mediation, virtuality and networking
- Science and technology
- Risk, crises and catastrophes, for example in public health, environment, sustainability and resilience
- Religion and religiosity
- Family, partnerships, gender and sexuality
- Education and social development
- Political and social thought, in particular formations of social chauvinism
- Commonwealth and empirical ethics
Contact
Postal Adress:
Katholische Universitaet Eichstaett-Ingolstadt
Chair of General Sociology and Sociological Theory
Kapuzinergasse 2
85072 Eichstaett
Germany
Secretary:
Tel: +49 8421 93-21666
Fax: +49 8421 93-216660
eMail: hildegard.alberter(at)ku.de