Sociologist's Corner: Essentials (Volume 1)

Author: Zhang Lisheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-02-01
Features: For the high-profile lectures in academia, "The Tea House" holds the due respect. However, according to the research of the contemporary sociological theorist Habermas, the public sphere he values did not originate in the academic halls of Gaohuayan but rather emerged in the "tea houses" of France—those small and large cafes scattered across the streets of Paris. In this sense, discussing sociology and social theory under the name "The Tea House" is most appropriate. In the author's view, sociology is not a profession, though it can become one, but rather a perspective—a "sociological eye" that observes people, things, the mortal world, and the vast universe, while also reflecting upon oneself. Adopting this perspective, the length of the writing can vary, the tone can shift between fast and slow, the style can blend solemnity with humor, and the principles should be explained in both depth and simplicity—"within the realm of daily life," "thinking amidst the changing tides of the world." Whether the author is a professional sociologist or not, they are all guests at "The Tea House." Gathering with friends over tea, chatting and sipping, from the grandeur of the universe to the triviality of a fly, from the joy of the rich to the sorrow of the poor, from the vast waves of the four seas to the tiny ripples in a cup of water—all of these are sociology, and all can be woven into the casual talk of scholars over tea. The ancients spoke of the delightful aspects of tea, saying, "There is a world apart within the teapot." Let the erudite scholars, both seasoned and new, gather and share their wisdom!