Community Quote by Peter L. Berger
““Everyday life presents itself as a reality interpreted by men and subjectively meaningful to them as a coherent world. As sociologists we take this reality as the object of our analyses. Within the frame of reference of sociology as an empirical science it is possible to take this reality as given, to take as data particular phenomena arising within it, without further inquiring about the foundations of this reality, which is a philosophical task. However, given the particular purpose of the present treatise, we cannot completely bypass the philosophical problem. The world of everyday life is not only taken for granted as reality by the ordinary members of society in the subjectively meaningful conduct of their lives. It is a world that originates in their thoughts and actions, and is maintained as real by these. Before turning to our main task we must, therefore, attempt to clarify the foundations of knowledge in everyday life, to wit, the objectivations of subjective processes (and meanings) by which the intersubjective commonsense world is constructed. For””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Social Construction of Reality, Peter L. Berger & Thomas Luckmann, 1966
Everyday life is a shared reality shaped by people’s interpretations and actions, which sociology studies as data while acknowledging its philosophical foundations.
In simple terms: People create and sustain a common world through shared meanings.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the role of interpretation in social analysis.
Themes
sociology
knowledge
reality
interpretation
Mood
analytical
reflective
Type
theoretical
academic
When to use this quote
- research design
- ethnography
- policy analysis
- education
- media studies
Key Concepts
social construction
intersubjectivity
phenomenology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do our assumptions shape what we study?
- What is the impact of ignoring philosophical foundations?
A Different Perspective
Sociology may overlook deeper metaphysical questions about reality.
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