Chinese Journal of Sociology

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Narratives and Strategies in the Course of Action

Author:Lui Ping Keung,Department of Applied Social Sciences,The Hong Kong Polytechnic University   

  1. Author:Lui PingKeung,Department of Applied Social Sciences,The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
  • Online:2011-07-20 Published:2011-07-20
  • Contact: Author:Lui PingKeung,Department of Applied Social Sciences,The Hong Kong Polytechnic University E-mail:pklui@a.polyu.edu.hk
  • About author:Author:Lui Ping Keung,Department of Applied Social Sciences,The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Abstract:

This article attempts to lay down a comprehensive perspective of theoretical sociology composed of three parts: fundamental ontology, subjectivistic structuralism and agentialistic characterization. Three tasks are carried out. First, to theoretically connect the social structure and symbolic universe in structuralism to the narratives and strategies in agentialistic characterization in order to improve their aptness in positivistic research. Second, to test the applicability of the two concepts of narratives and strategies in classical Chinese stories in order to improve their aptness in case analysis. Finally, to make a conceptual distinction between subjectivity and agency in order for the actors to transform from being subjective to being agentic through awareness of some kind of ontological metamorphosis.

Key words: social structure, symbolic universe, agentialistic characterization, narrative, strategy