The origin of values : sociology and philosophy of beliefs / Raymond Boudon

Includes bibliographical references (pages 215-220) and index

Table Of Contents: Introduction: Explaining Values and Valuation Explaining Values and Valuation: A Question That Has Inspired Many Theories The Diversity and Empirical Inefficiency of Value Theories Munchhausen's Trilemma Munchhausen's Trilemma and Scientific Knowledge Munchhausen's Trilemma and the Explanation of Norms and Values ``Fideist'' Theories Skeptical Theories Rational Theories Normative and Positive Beliefs The Trilemma and Moral Life Rational Theories: Limits of the ``Rational Choice Model'' The Attractiveness of Rational Choice Theory (RCT) Whether RCT is General Alternative Way Two Examples from Tocqueville ``Cognitive Rationality'' A Special Case of Utmost Relevance RCT: A Particular Case of a More General Model Relativistic vs. Naturalistic Theories: Their Interest and Limits That Value Relativism is Widespread Do We Need to Accept These Views as Sociologists and as People? The Naturalistic Reaction The Reasons for Moral Convictions Communitarianism Revisited A Seminal and Difficult Notion: ``Axiological Rationality'' Weber Often Ill-Understood The Methodological Principles of Weber's Sociology Why These Principles? Moral Feelings ``Gesinnungsethik'' and ``Verantwortungsethik'' Back to Kant? Generalizing the ``Rational Choice Model'' into a Cognitivist Model Explaining Collective Beliefs: The ``Cognitivist'' Model Type 2 Beliefs: Examples from Cognitive Psychology Type 3 Beliefs: Examples from the Sociology of Knowledge Type 3 Beliefs: Examples from the Sociology of Norms and Values The Need for a Non-Utilitarian Notion of Rationality The Cognitivist Model Applied to the Analysis of the Feelings of Justice Philosophy and Sociology on Axiological Feelings A Cognitivist Theory of Axiological Feelings Smith's Example Lessons from Smith's Example Application of the Model to Two Examples Checking the Importance of Contextual Effects Which Criteria of Fairness, Legitimacy, Etc.? The Universal and Contextual Dimensions of Axiological Feelings and Justice Feelings in Particular Contextual Variations of Tolerance to Inequalities Beyond Kantian, Utilitarian, and Contractualist Theories The Cognitivist Model Applied to the Analysis of Public Opinion A Free Interpretation of the Metaphor of the ``Impartial Spectator'' Effects of Social Affiliations: Special Interests, Group Interests, and Role Interests Effects of Community Affiliations Effects of Position Organizations and People Cognitive Effects Axiological Effects Scheler Effects Combined Effects Tocqueville-Kuran Effects The Influence of the Impartial Spectator Public Opinion and the Rationalization of Social Life References Index