Abstract

NAVARRO, Rolando. Emotion, Social Theory, and Social Structure. Frónesis [online]. 2007, vol.14, n.3, pp.121-125. ISSN 1315-6268.

In his book Emotion, Social Theory, and Social Structure (Cambridge University Press, 2001), the author, Jack M. Barbalet, Reader in Sociology at the Australian National University, takes sociology in a new direction. It examines key aspects of social structure using afresh understanding of the categories of emotions. Through this synthesis,  original perspectives on rationality, class structure, social action, conformity, basic rights and social change emerge. In addition to giving an innovative view of social processes, J.M. Barbalet´s study reveals littleconsidered aspects of emotions such as fear, resentment, vengefulness, shame and confidence in the context of social structure. While much has been written about the social consequences of excessive and pathological emotions, this book demonstrates the centrality of emotions in routine social interactions. Dr. Barbalet also re-evaluates the nature of social theory. As the importance of emotions in social processes is revealed more clearly, the intellectual constitution of sociology, as well as its history, must be rethought.

Keywords : Emotion; fear; resentment; vengefulness; shame; confidence; social theory; social structure.