THE IDEA OF SOCIAL STRUCTURE:: Papers in Honor of Robert K. Merton

Book Details

• Publisher: Rawat Publications

• Author: Lewis A. Coser

• Language: English

• Edition: 2019

• ISBN: 9788131609552

• Pages: 560

• Cover: Hardcover

About the Book
The Idea of Social Structure is a tribute to Robert K. Merton, one of the leading sociologists of the twentieth century, compiled by his friends and former students. Merton, along with Talcott Parsons and Marion J. Levy, played a pivotal role in shaping the concept of "social structure"—a term they all used in different ways but with similar emphasis. This volume brings together a rich collection of chapters that explore the breadth of Merton's theories and their profound impact on the field of sociology.

The book contains major contributions on working with Merton by prominent figures such as Lewis A. Coser, Paul F. Lazarsfeld, Robert A. Nisbet, and Seymour Martin Lipset. These writings highlight Merton's diverse interests in various sociological domains, including the sociology of knowledge, science, medical education, political roles, and communication media. Through these essays, readers gain insights into Merton's theoretical contributions and how they have influenced the sociological landscape.

The volume is not only a reflection of Merton’s work but also a celebration of his intellectual legacy, which continues to shape modern sociology. The book discusses the dynamics of social structure through essays that examine Merton’s ideas on everyday life, relative deprivation, political roles, and more. It also includes important discussions on Merton’s influences on the sociology of science, the complexity of social roles, and the use of power in societal structures.

This collection offers an invaluable resource for understanding Merton’s work, his intellectual descendants, and the broader trajectory of sociological theory. It also serves as a powerful sourcebook for students, scholars, and anyone interested in the history and development of sociology as a discipline.

Contents
Robert K. Merton: The Man and the Work

• Merton and the Contemporary Mind: An Affectionate Dialogue / Lewis A. Coser

• Merton’s Theory of Social Structure / Arthur L. Stinchcombe

• Working with Merton / Paul F. Lazarsfeld

• The Present Status of Structural–Functional Theory in Sociology / Talcott Parsons

• Merton’s Uses of the European Sociological Tradition / Lewis A. Coser

On the Shoulders of Merton

• Toward a New View of the Sociology of Knowledge / Bernard Barber

• Structural Constraints of Status Complements / Peter M. Blau

• The Emergence of a Scientific Specialty: The Self-Exemplifying Case of the Sociology of Science / Jonathan R. Cole and Harriet Zuckerman

• The Growth of Scientific Knowledge: Theories of Deviance as a Case Study / Stephen Cole

• Legitimate and Illegitimate Use of Power / James S. Coleman

• The Complexity of Roles as a Seedbed of Individual Autonomy / Rose Laub Coser

• Reference Individuals and Reference Idols / Herbert H. Hyman

• The Planning of Communities: Anticipations and Hindsights / Suzanne Keller

• Theory and Research: The Case of Studies in Medical Education / Patricia Kendall

• Ironic Perspective and Sociological Thought / Louis Schneider

• On Formalizing Theory / Hanan C. Selvin

• Relative Deprivation / Robin M. Williams, Jr.

• Social Structure and Mass Communications Behavior: Exploring Patterns through Constructional Analysis / Charles R. Wright

In the Spirit of Merton

• Sociology and the Everyday Life / Alvin W. Gouldner

• Intellectual Types and Political Roles / Seymour Martin Lipset

• The Myth of the Renaissance / Robert Nisbet

• The Writings of Robert K. Merton: A Bibliography / Mary Wilson Miles

About the Author
Lewis A. Coser (1913–2003) was a renowned sociologist who began his career teaching at the University of Chicago before moving to the University of California. Later, he became the founder of the sociology department at Brandeis University, where he taught for over fifteen years. Coser was one of the first to synthesize conflict theory and structural functionalism in sociology. He also served as the president of the American Sociological Association. Among his many works are Conflict and Consensus, Masters of Sociological Thought, and The Functions of Social Conflict.