The Sociology of Philosophies

“No sociologist who is seriously concerned with understanding intellectual life can afford to ignore it… Randall Collins has rendered a service to sociology second to none.”—Peter Baehr, Canadian Journal of Sociology

“The one work that all sociologists of ideas, novices and veterans alike, hereafter must read… It is beyond question Randall Collins’ masterpiece.”—Charles Camic, European Journal of Sociology

“[A] rich, systematic and empirically grounded account of intellectual change in three civilizations. The Sociology of Philosophies is an ambitious, comprehensive, and brilliant account of the rationalization process of three world philosophies: Western, Indian, and Asian. In Collins’ analysis, this developmental process is shown to be generated via social and conceptual networks… The book expounds upon an immense range of intellectual history, and certainly makes inspiring and interesting reading. And, despite the heavy subject and incredible scope, Collins’ writing style resembles an oral lecture more than an abstruse disquisition.”—Ilan Talmud, European Sociological Review

“This astonishing book testifies to decades of research through the greater part of philosophy—East and West… It reaches out to the ordinary reader, who could acquire a rich education in the humanities just by following it through.”—Leslie Armour, Library Journal

“What an impressive book Randall Collins has written…so broadly learned, so ambitious in its analysis, and readable to boot!”—William H. McNeill, author of The Rise of the West

“The Sociology of Philosophies is a truly astonishing work of scholarship based on a vast global erudition…it offers rich, highly illuminating and provocative insights on a vast array of topics.”—Benjamin I. Schwartz, author of The World of Thought in Ancient China