Themes and Perspectives in Indian Sociology

Book Details

• Author: D. N. Dhanagare

• Publisher: Rawat Publications

• Language: English

• Edition: 1993

• ISBN: 9788170331988

• Pages: 210

• Cover: Hardcover

• Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.7 x 0.6 inches

• Release Date: 01-01-1993

About the Book

The essays in this volume critically review the development of sociology in India, marking its place as a respected field of scholarship in the world. D.N. Dhanagare, adopting the position of an “outsider within,” offers a detailed examination of the themes and perspectives that dominated Indian sociology from the 1950s to the late 1980s. His critique of prevailing theoretical and methodological orientations highlights the evolving cognitive structures within Indian sociology and the shifting research interests over the decades.

The essays are notable for their unique combination of objectivity and intellectual empathy. Dhanagare does not shy away from revealing his own value preferences, which enriches his analysis of the theoretical foundations of the discipline. His work stresses the importance of maintaining a scientific outlook in sociology while also acknowledging the value commitments of the sociologists themselves. This balancing act between empirical analysis and intellectual sensitivity provides a valuable contribution to the understanding of the Indian sociological tradition.

For anyone interested in the sociology of India or the development of Indian sociology as a discipline, this book provides a penetrating and thought-provoking look at how the field has evolved. Dhanagare’s exploration of social movements, subaltern consciousness, and the prospects for an integrated approach to social reality offers a deep and nuanced understanding of the challenges and transformations within the Indian sociological landscape.