Space, fields, boundaries: the rise of spatial metaphors in contemporary sociological theory.

From: Social Research | Date: June 22, 1995| Author: | Copyright information

Sociological theory since the 1980s has been marked by the increasing frequency of the use of spatial metaphors such as 'fields,' 'boundaries,' 'space' and 'action-space.' The use of spatial metaphors imply a theoretical and practical orientation towards the natural sciences as sources of inspiration for sociological research. It also implies the rejection of ambiguous literary metaphors in favor of metaphors that reflect positivist notions of social reality.

SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY has been profoundly affected by the use of metaphors borrowed from a wide range of other disciplines, ranging ...

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