Sociability and Society: Literature and the Symposium

K. Ludwig Pfeiffer encourages us to reflect on the cultural and literary history of social gatherings, such as the Athenian symposium, as an institution of sociability with a central societal function. He draws on the work of writers such as Dr. Samuel Johnson and Diderot, Virginia Woolf and Marcel Proust, Dorothy Sayers, Joseph Conrad, and Stieg Larsson to argue that modern societies must find ways of reinstating elements of the symposium, especially those relating to its ritualized ease, decency, and style of interaction, to cope with increasing violence and decreasing social cohesion.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 300 pages
Publication date: 03 April 2023
Publisher: Stanford University Press

In today's world, the traditional pillars of social solidarity, such as churches, political parties, trade unions, and even national sports teams, are no longer reliable guarantors of unity. As sociability faces a gradual disintegration, K. Ludwig Pfeiffer urges us to contemplate the cultural and literary history of social gatherings, from the ancient Athenian symposium to its various manifestations throughout Western history. Pfeiffer views the symposium as a vital institution of sociability, playing a central role in society. He builds upon the sociological theories of Georg Simmel and further develops concepts of social interaction and communication, drawing inspiration from notable scholars such as Max Weber, George Herbert Mead, Jürgen Habermas, Niklas Luhmann, and others. Pfeiffer's argument is supported by a diverse range of writers, including Dr. Samuel Johnson, Diderot, Virginia Woolf, Marcel Proust, Dorothy Sayers, Joseph Conrad, and Stieg Larsson. In his conclusion, Pfeiffer emphasizes the importance of modern societies finding ways to reintroduce elements of the Athenian symposium, particularly those related to its ritualized ease, decency, and style of interaction. Failure to do so may lead to a rise in violence and a decline in social cohesion.

Weight: 464g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781503634848