John J. Macionis Knihy

We live in a mutilated world and our humanity seems irrevocably damaged. Many critics suggest we have reached the End of Humanity, a ‘post-humanity’. In this challenging book, Ken Plummer suggests such claims may be premature: instead a new understanding of humanity is required. It may be true that the narrow view of western humanity has had its day, but with this manifesto Ken Plummer critically reflects upon and re-imagines humanism for the 21st Century. What is now needed, he argues, is a fresh, wide-ranging imaginary of open plural humanity that takes both a critical stance towards older, often divisive, ideas of what it means to be human while also connecting to newer stances around the rich diversity of world life in the pluriverse. Critical Humanism shows that we simply cannot afford to be anti-human or post-human. To do so will mean losing the battle for the survival of who we are as fleshy but symbolic creative creatures. In an age of post- and trans-humanist turns, this is a personal and passionate call for thinkers, researchers and activists to not turn their backs on humanism. The book encourages us to build our humanist vision: we have actually achieved much and can achieve much more. Restoring our belief in humanity has never been more important.

This textbook provides a survey of sociology. As the scientific study of society, sociology is a social science which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity. It focuses on the influence of our relationships around us and how they affect our behaviors and attitudes. The author approaches this subject with a desire to help students find and use sociology in everyday life.

Sociology: A Global Introduction is the most complete learning resource for introductory sociology students across Europe. Written in a lively and engaging way, the new edition of this popular text will engage, excite and challenge students - encouraging them to understand core topics, critique existing arguments, move to the cutting edge and read further around the subject. With a firm focus on UK/European society, issues are discussed in greater detail than in existing textbooks. Of particular significance is the book's global perspective, looking at traditional, modern and postmodern society in a wider multicultural environment.