Outline of a Theory of PracticeOutline of a Theory of Practice is recognized as a major theoretical text on the foundations of anthropology and sociology. Pierre Bourdieu, a distinguished French anthropologist, develops a theory of practice which is simultaneously a critique of the methods and postures of social science and a general account of how human action should be understood. With his central concept of the habitus, the principle which negotiates between objective structures and practices, Bourdieu is able to transcend the dichotomies which have shaped theoretical thinking about the social world. The author draws on his fieldwork in Kabylia (Algeria) to illustrate his theoretical propositions. With detailed study of matrimonial strategies and the role of rite and myth, he analyses the dialectical process of the 'incorporation of structures' and the objectification of habitus, whereby social formations tend to reproduce themselves. A rigorous consistent materialist approach lays the foundations for a theory of symbolic capital and, through analysis of the different modes of domination, a theory of symbolic power. |
Contents
STRUCTURES AND THE HABITUS | |
Economy of logic | |
Union and separation | |
Making use of indeterminacy | |
BASIS FOR A THEORY | |
Symbolic capital | |
Modes of domination | |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
action agents agnatic analysis anthropologist azal Berber berkukes biological reproduction bridewealth bring brothers challenge classification collective conflict constituted constructed couscous cousin marriage cross cousin cultural daughter defined definition difficulties discourse dispositions division domination economic efficacy endogamy example exchange fact father fecundity female field figs find fire first day flock fulfil function genealogical gift give habitus hence homology husum individual infinite interests Kabyle Kabylia khammes kinship labour land language lineage logic lyali male man’s marabout marry material and symbolic matrimonial means mechanisms nature objectification objective structures objectivism objectivist official one’s opposed opposition parallel cousin parallel-cousin marriage particular period ploughing political position possible prestige principle reflection relations relationship representation reproduction rites ritual rule sacrifice schemes scientific sense significance situation social world specific strategies sufficient symbolic capital symbolic violence tends theoretical tradition universe village wheatcake woman women