On reductions – examining a British-Bourdieusian sociology of education

Winzler, T. (2021) On reductions – examining a British-Bourdieusian sociology of education. British Journal of Sociology of Education, 42(8), pp. 1107-1122. (doi: 10.1080/01425692.2021.1990015)

Abstract

In this article I explore a disposition towards a critique of ‘reductionism’ and ‘determinism’ that seems to me to be very much prevalent within British sociology. I take a qualitative educational sociology that uses Bourdieusian concepts as one body of research where this disposition is expressed with particular fervour. A close examination of this work reveals its tacit acceptance of the limits of specific, and mostly statistical, classifications. It also reveals a distorted approach to reflexivity and the view of rival approaches and critiques. This points towards a specific and systematic disposition that, through the abundant warnings of ‘reductionism’ and ‘determinism’, itself reduces the development of a particular theory to a specific epistemology, thereby endangering the potential of rupture and epistemological break advocated by Bourdieu. This prompts us to pose fresh Bourdieusian questions about the state and practice of Bourdieusian reflexivity.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Winzler, Dr Tim
• Authors: Winzler, T.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences
• Journal Name: British Journal of Sociology of Education
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• ISSN: 0142-5692
• ISSN (Online): 1465-3346
• Published Online: 09 November 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 The Author
• First Published: First published in British Journal of Sociology of Education 42(8): 1107-1122
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
190423		ESRC Doctoral Training Centre 2011...	Mary Beth Kneafsey	Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)	ES/J500136/1	Research and Innovation Services