Summary

This section introduces the concept of sociological thinking. It is emphasized how individual identity is a social creation that is constantly sustained by social relationships both small and large. Most people do not hold this view which is evidence of the powerful cultural myth of individualism. Sociology can lead to intellectual enlightenment which can play an important role in solving public issues.

Discussion Questions

1. What does this book address? (pages 2-3)

2. Explain the myth of individualism. (page 3)

3. What was behind the joy and relief at the end of World War II (pages 4-5)

4. What were the two influential novels written in 1948? Briefly summarize and compare the two novels. (pgs. 5-7)

5. What is the defining concern of sociology? (p. 8)

6. Using the relationship between personal troubles and public issues, how could you explain unemployment, divorce rate, and crime? (pgs. 8-9)

7. How does the author answer the question - "Does society control individual behavior?" (p. 9)

8. How did Karl Marx address the issue of individuals' freedom to act? (p. 9)

9. What is the promise of sociology? (p. 10)

Important sociological terms, concepts, and names
- Personhood (p. 2) - society's agreed upon definition to who is a person or citizen
- Individualism (p. 4) - we are independent with distinct identities
- C. Wright Mills (p. 8) - sociologist know for describing the "sociological imagination"
- Personal troubles (p. 8) - part Mills' sociological imagination (unemployment, divorce, etc.)
- Public issues (p. 8) - other component of Mills' sociological imagination; larger macro issues
- Karl Marx (p. 9) - one of the founders of sociology
- Immanual Kant (p. 10) - 18th century philospher