Exploring the nature of deception, the book examines the contexts and motivations behind lying, highlighting its pragmatic reasons within society. Professor Barnes presents a nuanced argument that, while honesty is generally valued, there are compelling situations where lying may be justified or even necessary. The analysis delves into the consequences of deceit, offering insights into the complex relationship between truth and falsehood in human interactions.
Exploring sociology and anthropology, this essay collection delves into topics like lineage systems, social networks, and colonialism, reflecting the author's belief that social science should reveal what truly occurs. Each piece retains its original theoretical stance, accompanied by contextual introductory notes. A new introduction elaborates on the author's perspective of social science as model construction rather than law-seeking, culminating in a final chapter that presents a model of the modeling process itself.
A collection of essays by John Barnes explores themes relevant to sociology, anthropology, and the philosophy of social science. The work delves into complex social theories and offers insights that engage scholars and students alike, making it a valuable resource for those interested in the intricacies of social structures and human behavior.
A long established standard student reference. To aid understanding of how many of the tables can be used, there is a section of practical worked examples. Useful formulae are also included.