Abstract

The fact that Luc Boltanski is widely regarded as one of the most influential French sociologists of the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries should be reason enough for putting together a collection of essays concerned with the major intellectual contributions that he has made to the humanities and social sciences. Boltanski has emerged as the most prominent, and also most innovative, French sociologist since the death of Pierre Bourdieu in 2002. It is ironic that, despite both the magnitude and the originality of Boltanski’s oeuvre, one finds only few systematic commentaries, let alone edited books, on his work in the vast industry of contemporary sociological enquiry. The purpose of this volume is to fill this gap in the literature by creating opportunities for debate capable of representing the wide range of discussions that Boltanski’s writings have sparked amongst researchers in the humanities and social sciences over the past decades.

‘Luc Boltanski’s intellectual contribution stands out due to its impressive originality and multidimensionality. This insightful book succeeds in locating Boltanski’s work in an international and interdisciplinary terrain. It is a mustread for anyone who is interested in the far-reaching significance of Boltanski’s oeuvre.’ —Michèle Lamont, Acting Director of the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs and Robert I. Goldman Professor of European Studies, Harvard University

‘This is a book that is needed to understand the ideas and research dynamics of one of the greatest contemporary sociologists. This impressive collection of essays provides not only an introduction to his work, but also insightful analyses of its reception, critical discussions on its wider significance, and reflexive comments by Luc Boltanski himself, all of which will make this volume a classic.’ —Ève Chiapello, Research Director, School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences (EHESS), Paris

‘In his rich theoretical and empirical work, Boltanski has given new meaning to the notion of “critique” – away from the pretensions of academic radicals, toward actual human beings and their moral judgements. This impressively wide-ranging collection gives an excellent overview of the controversies about one of the most prominent French sociologists.’ —Hans Joas, Humboldt University of Berlin and University of Chicago

What is the relevance of Luc Boltanski’s ‘pragmatic sociology of critique’ to central issues in contemporary social and political analysis? In seeking to respond to this question, this book contains critical commentaries from prominent social theorists attempting to map out the influence and broad scope of Boltanski’s oeuvre.

‘Among the explorers of social life and its dynamics, Luc Boltanski is one of the greatest path-finders and path-blazers alive. The ideas he forms in successive reports of his findings are invariably as novel as the realities he investigates and indefatigably attempts, with great success, to catch in flight.’ —Zygmunt Bauman, Emeritus Professor, University of Leeds

‘This superb volume offers a complete critical appraisal of Luc Boltanski’s major works. The range and depth of analysis in impressive. The individual chapters, authored by established scholars, are most insightful and the introductory and concluding chapters by the editors are exceptional.’ —Gerard Delanty, University of Sussex

‘Simon Susen and Bryan S. Turner’s superb edited collection offers an exhaustive appraisal of Luc Boltanski’s contributions to sociology and social theory. Including several interviews and materials that were previously unavailable in English, no aspect of Boltanski’s work has been left untouched.’ —Daniel Chernilo, Loughborough University

Simon Susen is a Senior Lecturer in Sociology at City University London.

Bryan S. Turner is the Presidential Professor of Sociology at the City University of New York. Concurrently, he is the Director of the Institute for Religion, Politics and Society at the Australian Catholic University, Melbourne.

‘This monumental book is destined to increase awareness and appreciation of Luc Boltanski’s impressive scholarship and the urgent relevance of his ideas to making sense of the inextricable moral and political dilemmas of local and global society.’ —Michele Dillon, University of New Hampshire

‘This superb volume offers a complete critical appraisal of Luc Boltanski’s major works. The range and depth of analysis in impressive. The individual chapters, authored by established scholars, are most insightful and the introductory and concluding chapters by the editors are exceptional.’ —Gerard Delanty, University of Sussex

‘In his rich theoretical and empirical work, Boltanski has given new meaning to the notion of “critique” – away from the pretensions of academic radicals, toward actual human beings and their moral judgements. This impressively wide-ranging collection gives an excellent overview of the controversies about one of the most prominent French sociologists.’ —Hans Joas, Humboldt University of Berlin and University of Chicago

‘[T]he editors of The Spirit of Luc Boltanski […] rightly call him the most prominent and innovative French sociologist since Bourdieu. The time is ripe for an assessment of his oeuvre so far’ —‘Canadian Journal of Sociology’

‘This monumental book is destined to increase awareness and appreciation of Luc Boltanski’s impressive scholarship and the urgent relevance of his ideas to making sense of the inextricable moral and political dilemmas of local and global society.’ —Michele Dillon, University of New Hampshire

‘This is a book that is needed to understand the ideas and research dynamics of one of the greatest contemporary sociologists. This impressive collection of essays provides not only an introduction to his work, but also insightful analyses of its reception, critical discussions on its wider significance, and reflexive comments by Luc Boltanski himself, all of which will make this volume a classic.’ —Ève Chiapello, Research Director, School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences (EHESS), Paris

‘Luc Boltanski has been among the most wide-ranging, creative, and influential of recent social scientists. His work has shaped and indeed helped to revive the tradition of pragmatist enquiry in sociology. This collection is the first comprehensive assessment of his work; it is exceptionally good, and it should be of interest to all social theorists and cultural sociologists.’ —Craig Calhoun, Director of the London School of Economics and Political Science

‘This rich volume will help introduce Luc Boltanski’s sociology to unfamiliar readers, while at the same time advancing discussion of its potential and limitations.’ —Neil Gross, University of British Columbia

‘Simon Susen and Bryan S. Turner’s superb edited collection offers an exhaustive appraisal of Luc Boltanski’s contributions to sociology and social theory. Including several interviews and materials that were previously unavailable in English, no aspect of Boltanski’s work has been left untouched.’ —Daniel Chernilo, Loughborough University

‘Among the explorers of social life and its dynamics, Luc Boltanski is one of the greatest path-finders and path-blazers alive. The ideas he forms in successive reports of his findings are invariably as novel as the realities he investigates and indefatigably attempts, with great success, to catch in flight.’ —Zygmunt Bauman, Emeritus Professor, University of Leeds

‘This rich volume will help introduce Luc Boltanski’s sociology to unfamiliar readers, while at the same time advancing discussion of its potential and limitations.’ —Neil Gross, University of British Columbia

‘Luc Boltanski’s intellectual contribution stands out due to its impressive originality and multidimensionality. This insightful book succeeds in locating Boltanski’s work in an international and interdisciplinary terrain. It is a mustread for anyone who is interested in the far-reaching significance of Boltanski’s oeuvre.’ —Michèle Lamont, Acting Director of the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs and Robert I. Goldman Professor of European Studies, Harvard University

‘Luc Boltanski has been among the most wide-ranging, creative, and influential of recent social scientists. His work has shaped and indeed helped to revive the tradition of pragmatist enquiry in sociology. This collection is the first comprehensive assessment of his work; it is exceptionally good, and it should be of interest to all social theorists and cultural sociologists.’ —Craig Calhoun, Director of the London School of Economics and Political Science