Thesis (doctoral)--Göteborg University, 2008. / Added t.p. with thesis statement inserted. Includes bibliographical references p. : [55]-59.

The purpose of this thesis was to come to understand the fundamental character of the idea of progress by studying the manner in which the idea emerged. This study, however, embodied more than simply those ideas that comprised its nature. The sociology of knowledge approach emphasizes the importance of understanding that the development of ideas can be strongly affected by the social structure. Taking such an approach into consideration in the task of understanding the fundamental character of the idea of progress, it was necessary to also attend to the influences of the social structure as well as the ideational factors upon the development of this idea. The thesis had a twofold approach in which the majority of work was devoted to ideational changes where the character of the idea was formed, but attention was also turned at appropriate times to the influence of the social structure upon the idea of progress.

Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Also available in print.

Thesis (doctoral)--University of Bergen, Norway, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 348-392).

Thesis (doctoral)--University of Bergen, Norway, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 348-392)

The famed French classical social theorist Emile Durkheim's academic reputation is based largely on his critical rejection of the British utilitarian tradition and specifically the writings of the classical British sociologist Herbert Spencer. In this thesis I critically evaluate Durkheim's critique of Herbert Spencer's methodological individualism. It is found that while select Durkheimian claims merit continued allegiance, his broader critique of Spencer's methodological individualism must be viewed as logically and empirically deficient. In conclusion I examine the implications for Durkheimian sociology and the broader social theoretical enterprise directed at analyzing and conceptualizing the nature of sociality and the social bond.

Due to the unique cultural niche inhabited by “paranormal” beliefs and experiences, social scientists have struggled to understand the relationship between religion and the paranormal. Complicating matters is the fact that extant research has primarily focused upon North America, leaving open the possible relationship between these two spheres of the supernatural in less religiously pluralistic contexts. Using data from a random, national survey of Italian citizens, we examine the nature of the relationship between religiosity and paranormal beliefs in a largely Catholic context. We find a curvilinear relationship between religiosity and paranormal beliefs among Italians, with those at the lowest and highest levels of religious participation holding lower average levels of “paranormal” belief than those with moderate religious participation. This pattern reflects how two influential social institutions, religion and science, simultaneously define the paranormal as outside of acceptable realms of inquiry and belief.

Joseph O. Baker discussed a moving-target strategy of fundamentalist Christians to oppose Darwin’s theory of biological evolution with creationism over the last few hundred years in the United States.

No description available.

No description available.