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Classification

Boyne, Roy

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Authors

Roy Boyne



Abstract

First thoughts about classification inevitably turn to the simultaneously mundane and extraordinary ambition to capture the universe of all that there is and has been. This dream of the universal has two basic modes (and so the process begins!). First, I will follow the spirit of theos and logos as represented by the Platonic embrace of totality enshrined in Socrates’ scrupulous rejection of rhetorical dishonesty. Second, I will address the later part of the march to subjectivity as expressed by the mechanics of atomism and Cartesian reduction. Following this move from theology to ontology, from in other words the post-synthetic to the post-analytic, I will connect with the sociological destruction of such pretensions to absolute classificatory veracity – a necessary pre-requisite for the engagement of reflexivity and classification to be found in the work of Georges Perec.

Citation

Boyne, R. (2006). Classification. Theory, Culture and Society, 23(2-3), 21-30. https://doi.org/10.1177/0263276406062529

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date 2006-05
Deposit Date Aug 15, 2008
Publicly Available Date Aug 15, 2008
Journal Theory, Culture and Society
Print ISSN 0263-2764
Electronic ISSN 1460-3616
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 23
Issue 2-3
Pages 21-30
DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/0263276406062529
Keywords Platonic classification, Cartesian classification, Sociology of classification, Perec.

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Copyright Statement
The final, definitive version of this article has been published in the Journal, Theory, culture & society, 23/2-3, 2006, © Theory, Culture & Society Ltd, 2006 by SAGE Publications Ltd at the Theory, culture & society page: http://tcs.sagepub.com/ on SAGE Journals Online: http://online.sagepub.com/




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