Being Human: The Problem of Agency

by Margaret S. Archer

The human subject is under threat from postmodernist thinking that has declared the "Death of God" and the "Death of Man." This book is a revindication of the concept of humanity, rejecting contemporary social theory that seeks to diminish human properties and powers. Archer argues that being human depends on an interaction with the real world in which practice takes primacy over language in the emergence of human self-consciousness, thought, emotionality and personal identity--all of which are prior to, and more basic than, our acquisition of a social identity.

Genres: Sociology, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Social Science

336 pages, Hardcover

First published December 27, 1996

About the author

Margaret Scotford Archer was an English sociologist, who spent most of her academic career at the University of Warwick.

Reviews

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you can work out what Archer is saying, then you're a better academic than I ... I have a vague idea, and I liked it, so here are 3 stars.