Post-Philosophical Sociology Eliasian Perspectives on the Sociology of Knowledge

"Richard Kilminster is a man of semantic precision and clear thought. In this book, his thinking trades with the intersection of philosophy and sociology - a shift from ethics to global guidance through social science. He convincingly shows how sociology has taken over the historical task of humanistic, secular leadership. He develops this startling enquiry by building on the 'mighty thinkers' of the sociological tradition, masterfully demonstrating the breadth of his erudition and knowledge." - Adrian Jitschin, Norbert Elias Foundation, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

"For decades, sociological theorists have been in thrall to philosophers, and the results have often seemed irrelevant to the concerns of empirical sociological researchers. Richard Kilminster is well versed in the various schools of philosophy and makes out a compelling case for how sociology as the queen of the social sciences can be truly emancipated from their hegemony. And in so doing, he shows how theory and empirical research can be reunited." - Stephen Mennell, Professor Emeritus of Sociology, University College Dublin.