The British Journal of Sociology
Volume 52 Issue 1 2001
Pages l05-121
Abstract
Bauman's attempt to develop a sociological theory of morality turning around fundamental premises of Durkheim's approach fails in the last analysis, since in Bauman's view the 'moral party of two' does not constitute a social situation. It is argued that the necessary condition to think sociologically about morality is the concept of reciprocity and thus one can arrive at a view of morality in postmodernity consistent with Bauman's earlier theory of practice. If Bauman's idea about responsibilty as the core of morality is transformed to the idea of an appeal of history to compassion and is supplemented with the idea of reciprocity as an emerging norm it is possible to outline a sociological theory of moral practice according to postmodern conditions.
Keywords: Durkheim, morality, Bauman, ethics, postmodernity, Simmel
Matthias Junge
Philosophische Fakultat
Technische Universitat, Chemnitz