Summary: Kunstsociologie Ii

Read the summary and the most important questions on Kunstsociologie II

• Sociology of Bourdieu and Becker

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• What are the characteristics of theory, versus the empirical?

  - Coherent whole of concepts
  - Connections between concepts
  - Concepts describe social phenomena
  - Connection illustrates/explains social reality
  - Theory guides empirical research

• What does 'connection between concepts' mean?

  It means that when one concept shifts, the other(s) shift(s) as well

• What did Bourdieu say about theory and empiricism, and what does it mean?

  'Theory without empiricism is empty, but empirical research without theory is blind.' You can't perform empirical research without theory, because you didn't define concepts and don't know what you're talking about.

• How does this (theory & empirical research) relate to art sociologists?

  Art sociologists can be distinguished by this, by their theories and by whether they define theories first or perform research first.

• What is a characteristic of Bourdieu's cultural sociology?

  It is a modern theory, but a grand theory: it tries to catch the whole society. This distinguishes it from other theories.

• To which school does Bourdieu's theory belong?

  He focusses on power relationships, so it belongs to the ciritical social theory/school. It puts culture on a high level from Marx' theory.

• How does Bourdieu's theory differ from that of Foucault?

  Foucault describes the powerstructure in society.
  Bourdieu tries to find out which things in society hace power and which things have not: he focusses on relations between things.

• What does Bourdieu say in 'Distinction'?

  He says that 'taste is caused by society'. By using specific products, people distinguish themselves from others. This also includes art.

• How does culture relate to distinction?

  Culture creates social differences, which is equal to distinction between people.

• How else does culture relate to distinction?

  There is a social hierarchy, creating high and low culture (qualification).
  Social hierarchy is a social construct, made up by people.
  Not only economy, but also culture underpins distinction.