Pierre Bourdieu and relational sociology

Christian Papilloud

Eva-Maria Schultze

pp. 343-356

in: François Dépelteau (ed), The Palgrave handbook of relational sociology, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, 2018

Abstract

Pierre Bourdieu's main concern was to describe the interplay between differences in human action through an empirical observation of distinctive practices. Distinctive practices typify themselves in the expression of personal preferences and value judgements. Distinctions are differences that hold meaning and make sense if we connect to others but they also separate us from others. Distinction has also a second meaning: it identifies, locates and situates social actors within society; and it influences the way in which those actors behave and the way in which they themselves will be perceived. Distinction legitimates the right to have an identity, which can be recognized and defended, as well as being at the same time an object of desires, manipulations and denials. Thus, distinction contributes to the core definition of Bourdieu's sociology as a relational one.

Cited authors

Bourdieu Pierre