enchantment of sociology, The

Book Description

In a world increasingly marked by spiritual emptiness and cultural fragmentation, sociologist Kieran Flanagan offers a provocative exploration of how we might rediscover meaning and wonder in contemporary life. "The Enchantment of Sociology" challenges the widespread assumption that modern society has inevitably moved beyond the sacred, presenting instead a compelling case for the enduring presence of the divine within cultural experience.

Drawing upon the insights of influential thinkers like Georg Simmel and Pierre Bourdieu, alongside the theological wisdom of Hans Urs von Balthasar, Flanagan crafts an innovative framework for understanding how spirituality and social life intersect. Rather than accepting Max Weber's pessimistic vision of a disenchanted world, this work demonstrates how enchantment persists and can be cultivated even within postmodern culture.

The book introduces readers to fresh perspectives on charisma, reflexivity, and the ways religious understanding can illuminate social dynamics. By applying sociological methods to examine sociology itself, Flanagan reveals how spiritual dimensions operate within academic and cultural discourse, often unrecognized.

For those seeking to bridge the gap between intellectual inquiry and spiritual seeking, this work provides valuable tools for recognizing the sacred within everyday social experience. It offers both theologians and spiritual seekers a sophisticated yet accessible approach to understanding how divine presence manifests through cultural forms and human relationships.