Why?

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Sociology
Cover of the book Why? by Charles Tilly, Princeton University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Charles Tilly ISBN: 9781400837786
Publisher: Princeton University Press Publication: August 23, 2012
Imprint: Princeton University Press Language: English
Author: Charles Tilly
ISBN: 9781400837786
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Publication: August 23, 2012
Imprint: Princeton University Press
Language: English

Why? is a book about the explanations we give and how we give them--a fascinating look at the way the reasons we offer every day are dictated by, and help constitute, social relationships. Written in an easy-to-read style by distinguished social historian Charles Tilly, the book explores the manner in which people claim, establish, negotiate, repair, rework, or terminate relations with others through the reasons they give.

Tilly examines a number of different types of reason giving. For example, he shows how an air traffic controller would explain the near miss of two aircraft in several different ways, depending upon the intended audience: for an acquaintance at a cocktail party, he might shrug it off by saying "This happens all the time," or offer a chatty, colloquial rendition of what transpired; for a colleague at work, he would venture a longer, more technical explanation, and for a formal report for his division head he would provide an exhaustive, detailed account.

Tilly demonstrates that reasons fall into four different categories:

  • Convention: "I'm sorry I spilled my coffee; I'm such a klutz."
  • Narratives: "My friend betrayed me because she was jealous of my sister."
  • Technical cause-effect accounts: "A short circuit in the ignition system caused the engine rotors to fail."
  • Codes or workplace jargon: "We can't turn over the records. We're bound by statute 369."

Tilly illustrates his topic by showing how a variety of people gave reasons for the 9/11 attacks. He also demonstrates how those who work with one sort of reason frequently convert it into another sort. For example, a doctor might understand an illness using the technical language of biochemistry, but explain it to his patient, who knows nothing of biochemistry, by using conventions and stories.

Replete with sparkling anecdotes about everyday social experiences (including the author's own), Why? makes the case for stories as one of the great human inventions.

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

Why? is a book about the explanations we give and how we give them--a fascinating look at the way the reasons we offer every day are dictated by, and help constitute, social relationships. Written in an easy-to-read style by distinguished social historian Charles Tilly, the book explores the manner in which people claim, establish, negotiate, repair, rework, or terminate relations with others through the reasons they give.

Tilly examines a number of different types of reason giving. For example, he shows how an air traffic controller would explain the near miss of two aircraft in several different ways, depending upon the intended audience: for an acquaintance at a cocktail party, he might shrug it off by saying "This happens all the time," or offer a chatty, colloquial rendition of what transpired; for a colleague at work, he would venture a longer, more technical explanation, and for a formal report for his division head he would provide an exhaustive, detailed account.

Tilly demonstrates that reasons fall into four different categories:

Tilly illustrates his topic by showing how a variety of people gave reasons for the 9/11 attacks. He also demonstrates how those who work with one sort of reason frequently convert it into another sort. For example, a doctor might understand an illness using the technical language of biochemistry, but explain it to his patient, who knows nothing of biochemistry, by using conventions and stories.

Replete with sparkling anecdotes about everyday social experiences (including the author's own), Why? makes the case for stories as one of the great human inventions.

More books from Princeton University Press

Cover of the book The Great Divergence by Charles Tilly
Cover of the book Siegfried Kracauer by Charles Tilly
Cover of the book The Event of Postcolonial Shame by Charles Tilly
Cover of the book A Written Republic by Charles Tilly
Cover of the book The Bible in Arabic by Charles Tilly
Cover of the book Biomedical Odysseys by Charles Tilly
Cover of the book A Wildlife Guide to Chile by Charles Tilly
Cover of the book The Cold War and After by Charles Tilly
Cover of the book The Plum in the Golden Vase or, Chin P'ing Mei by Charles Tilly
Cover of the book Power in the Portrayal by Charles Tilly
Cover of the book Mafias on the Move by Charles Tilly
Cover of the book Jewish Ireland in the Age of Joyce by Charles Tilly
Cover of the book The Central Asian Economies in the Twenty-First Century by Charles Tilly
Cover of the book Insult to Injury by Charles Tilly
Cover of the book Petrels, Albatrosses, and Storm-Petrels of North America by Charles Tilly
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