TY - GEN T1 - Structural idealism : a theory of social and historical explanation T2 - Book collections on Project MUSE. A1 - Mann, Doug, 1955- LA - English PP - Waterloo, Ont. PB - Wilfrid Laurier University Press YR - 2002 UL - https://ebooks.jgu.edu.in/Record/ebsco_acadsubs_ocn123458800 AB - Within History and social theory there is a fundamental division of opinion between those who explain human action by considering the intentions, reasons and motives of individuals, and those who use broader social structures. Structural Idealism presents a theory of social and historical explanation which argues that 'idealists' such as Hegel, who champion human agency, and 'materialists' such as Marx, who support social structure, have grasped but part of a larger truth. The book contends that we have to explain human actions simultaneously by both the ideas human actors bring to a situation and the way that previous actions have created social structures that condition those ideas. Through this realization we can see how all forms of knowledge, from the historical roots of modern philosophy to today's popular culture, both condition and are conditioned by structural ideals.; This book challenges our perception of how cultures and ideals are formed, and shows that while structural ideals allow people to co-operate as they work toward goals - their own or those of their community - these images of perfection, so easily accepted as the unalterable structure of our society, can be changed, and are changed, by individuals. Structural Idealism asks us to think beneath the surface of our society, and will be of special interest to philosophers, sociologists, historians, and cultural theorists. OP - 309 CN - HM484 .M35 2002eb SN - 0889203911 SN - 9780889203914 SN - 1417544570 SN - 9781417544578 SN - 128092554X SN - 9781280925542 SN - 9780889207158 SN - 0889207151 KW - Social sciences : Philosophy. KW - History : Philosophy. KW - Idealism. KW - Culture : Philosophy. KW - Sciences sociales : Philosophie. KW - Histoire : Philosophie. KW - IdeĢalisme. KW - Culture : Philosophie. KW - idealism (philosophical movement) KW - SOCIAL SCIENCE : Methodology. KW - Culture : Philosophy KW - History : Philosophy KW - Idealism KW - Social sciences : Philosophy KW - Idealismus KW - Sozialphilosophie ER -