Society Does the Author Present

¶ … Society

Does the author present a view of society?

The author does present a number of competing views of society - with the focus on the interpretivist view of social interaction. Interpretivism refers to the theoretical stance or view that culture and context are central determining factors that need to be understood if one is to truly understand a particular culture. This view is contrasted with more quantitative and objectivist theories about the nature of society - such as the functionalist and Marxist views.

However, the author stresses that the subjective view or the qualitative analysis of society and culture and institutions like schools are essentials if one is to understand the culture and the school. This argument is underlined by the view that objectivity and measurement in the social sciences is not adequate to comprehend and understand the intricate nature of culture and the importance of context in the analysis of society.

The author explains the difference between functionalist and Marxist perspectives but shows how interpretivism is useful in the close observation of actual interaction between people and between the people in a school. These actions are interpreted in an attempt to understand the way that society and institutions function.

Therefore, interpretivism differs markedly from functionalism and Marxism in that it deals with the context of each particular school and situation and does not just apply overarching theories and rules. Interpretivism is important in that it acknowledges that the same action or behavior can be interpreted differently in different cultures and social contexts.

2. Does the author present a view of the self?

The main view of the self that this article presents is that the self from an interpretivist perspective is comprised of relationships and interaction with others that can vary and change according to context. Therefore, the self should be understood in the particular context or cultural milieu.

On the other hand, the author also presents a view of the self from the functionalist point-of-view; where the self is seen as an objective functioning unit in society; and from the Marxist perspective, where the emphasis is on how the self is subjugated by class structures and other elitist influences. The stress in this article is on the complex nature of the self and the importance of context and cultural environment in the way that the self is constituted. The article also ties the concept of self to perception of difference in the way that we perceive each other in different social and cultural contexts.

3. How does the author discuss the relationship between the individual and society?

Once again, interpretivism sees this relationship as a complex and intricate set of actions and interactions that are largely dependent on cultural and social context. In other words, there is no "correct "view of self but rather self and the individual's relationship with society is a result of interaction in different contexts. This view is contrasted with the more objective views of functionalism and Marxism, where the self is seen either in terms of its functional relation to the society or as an object of social repression.

4. How does the author distinguish human actions from other forms of human behavior?

As has been mentioned, the stress in this article is on the importance of context in the interpretivist view of the individual and society. It is this understanding of context that acts as the determining factor in human action and behavior. Human actions are distinguished from other forms of human behavior in terms of the context in which they occur. In other words, an action, such as the wink of an eye, is perceived differently in different contexts.

5. What societal functions do you think the author accords to schools?

A number of different views on this aspect are presented. From the functionalist point-of-view schools are important in that they provide the socializing function that is necessary for the individual to adapt to the needs of the society and culture. In other words, the school structures and guides the habits and skills of the student to conform to society.