The Creativity of Action

»Hans Joas is one of the foremost social theorists in Germany today. In this outstanding book he outlines the fundamentals of a new theory of action, drawing on philosophical pragmatism. The work is based upon Joas's celebrated study of George Herbert Mead, but also establishes direct ties between Mead's work and approaches drawn from German traditions of philosophical anthropology.

A major feature of Joas's theory is an emphasis on the creative character of human action. Human activity is not coincidentally, but in a fundamental sense, creative. The work contains new discussions of the nature of human intentions, the embodied character of human action and the character of intersubjectivity.

The problem of action is of crucial importance in both sociology and philosophy, and this book adds fresh impetus to the lively discussions current in the English-speaking world.« (book desription of the English edition by Polity)

Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction
1. The Emergence of the Theory of Action
2. Metaphors of Creativity
3. Situation - Corporeality - Sociality. The Fundamentals of a Theory of the Creativity of Action
4. Creative Democracy
Notes
Bibliography
Index of Names
Index of Subjects.

»A masterful comprehensive rethinking of the theory of action that interweaves sociological and philosophical motifs. Joas sharply criticizes prevailing understandings of ›rational‹ and ›normatively oriented‹ concepts of action. He explores the fundamentals of a theory of creative action that draws its inspiration from the pragmatic investigations of John Dewey and George Herbert Mead, but systematically develops their insights in novel ways. The scope, insight, and lucidity of Joas's subtle argument are truly impressive. This is an exemplar of sociological imagination at its best.« Richard J. Bernstein, New School for Social Research

»This is a most outstanding book: erudite, profound, and inclusive on a most important subject. A must for scholars in many fields.« Amitai Etzioni, author of The Spirit of Community

»This deeply serious and intelligent book embodies sociological theorizing at its best. Joas tackles the most difficult theoretical, empirical, and moral questions of the day, and he comes up with answers that compel attention. The Creativity of Action is a refreshing antidote to the skepticism about social science theory that marks our age.« Jeffrey Alexander, University of California Los Angeles