Chance, Character, and Change

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Sociology
Cover of the book Chance, Character, and Change by John Mattausch, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: John Mattausch ISBN: 9781351529532
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: July 12, 2017
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: John Mattausch
ISBN: 9781351529532
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: July 12, 2017
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

Chance is real. Not only is it a cause of societal change, but we as individuals are chance-given characters who discover and build our character in chancy circumstances. Chance is also expressed as coincidence and contingency, expressions which have episodically been of undeniable historical importance. Mattausch asserts the conventional picture of societal change is incorrect. Societal change is not a linear succession with each phase of change replacing its predecessor. Instead, the process is one of accumulative change in which chance plays various roles. Chance, Character, and Change develops the idea of chance, situating it within the history of thought and social change.

By focusing strictly on manifestations of chance and of luck that can be seen and explained, Mattausch is able to show how chance acts in the environment of evolution and the social practices that regulate the inheritance of knowledge and technology. This, in turn, steers societal change and how change itself occurs. Chance's role is often characterized as coincidence or contingency, and this automatically is seen as progressive or degenerate. However, Mattausch notes that accumulative change is potentially both progressive as well as decadent. Chance also plays a part in the social aspects of our world--customs, practices, cultures, societies, and politics. When we act, Mattausch argues, we do not distinguish between good and bad, but rather between determinism and chance; the latter is a test of character, not of free will.

This theory is general in its assertions and application, and can be related to many areas of study from economic theory, to human behavior, to politics. The rich texture of the writing and vivid use of examples from daily life and the work of other major thinkers draw in the reader. The most striking aspect of this work is the author's writing style and the way he weaves together evidence, classic research, and contemporary thought. It is skillfu

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Chance is real. Not only is it a cause of societal change, but we as individuals are chance-given characters who discover and build our character in chancy circumstances. Chance is also expressed as coincidence and contingency, expressions which have episodically been of undeniable historical importance. Mattausch asserts the conventional picture of societal change is incorrect. Societal change is not a linear succession with each phase of change replacing its predecessor. Instead, the process is one of accumulative change in which chance plays various roles. Chance, Character, and Change develops the idea of chance, situating it within the history of thought and social change.

By focusing strictly on manifestations of chance and of luck that can be seen and explained, Mattausch is able to show how chance acts in the environment of evolution and the social practices that regulate the inheritance of knowledge and technology. This, in turn, steers societal change and how change itself occurs. Chance's role is often characterized as coincidence or contingency, and this automatically is seen as progressive or degenerate. However, Mattausch notes that accumulative change is potentially both progressive as well as decadent. Chance also plays a part in the social aspects of our world--customs, practices, cultures, societies, and politics. When we act, Mattausch argues, we do not distinguish between good and bad, but rather between determinism and chance; the latter is a test of character, not of free will.

This theory is general in its assertions and application, and can be related to many areas of study from economic theory, to human behavior, to politics. The rich texture of the writing and vivid use of examples from daily life and the work of other major thinkers draw in the reader. The most striking aspect of this work is the author's writing style and the way he weaves together evidence, classic research, and contemporary thought. It is skillfu

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Authority in European Book Culture 1400-1600 by John Mattausch
Cover of the book Political Science Research in Practice by John Mattausch
Cover of the book Location Lighting for Television by John Mattausch
Cover of the book A Road Map to PLC Success by John Mattausch
Cover of the book Context and Cognition in Consumer Psychology by John Mattausch
Cover of the book Isolation by John Mattausch
Cover of the book Arabian Medicine and its Influence on the Middle Ages: Volume II by John Mattausch
Cover of the book Albrecht Durer by John Mattausch
Cover of the book Advances in Criminological Theory by John Mattausch
Cover of the book Water Harvesting in Sub-Saharan Africa by John Mattausch
Cover of the book Constitutional Law by John Mattausch
Cover of the book The Four Faces of Nuclear Terrorism by John Mattausch
Cover of the book Effective Schools in Developing Countries by John Mattausch
Cover of the book European Religion in the Age of Great Cities by John Mattausch
Cover of the book Constructing and Imagining Labour Migration by John Mattausch
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy