Includes bibliographical references and index.

This book examines the future of the social sciences and the reconstruction of society in contemporary times. Drawing on the lead piece 'For a New Classic Sociology', it calls for a new theoretical synthesis that overcomes the fragmentation, specialization and professionalization within the social sciences. The position paper and the responses by a team of world-class social theorists provide an alternative to utilitarianism and the colonization of the social sciences by rational choice models, propose a new articulation of social theory, and moral, social and political philosophy. It recommends a return to classical social theory and explores articulations between theories of reciprocity, care and recognition. A radical intervention in the study of the social sciences, the volume will be indispensable to scholars and researchers across the social sciences, especially social theory and sociology and social anthropology. Contributions by: Frank Adloff, Jeffrey Alexander, Francis Chateauraynaud, Raewyn Connell, François Dubet, Phil Gorski, Nathalie Heinich, Qu Jingdong, Mike Savage, Mike Singleton, and Philippe Steiner.