The Production of Seriousness

This book is about the roots of managerial rationality. A theoretical base, founded on the concept of 'memetics' is developed in order to explain human thinking and human reason as products of cultural evolution. Cultural change and development are explained by simple, value-driven memetic mechanisms like 'ritualization' and 'extremization'.

Autorentext

CLAES GUSTAFSSON is Professor of Industrial Economics and Management (em.) at the Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden. In addition to this he is an affiliated professor of industrial management at the Ångström Laboratories, Uppsala University Sweden. His research interests include management and organization, business ethics, organizational culture, decision theory and business philosophy.

Inhalt
PART I: TRUTH AND THE SELF-EVIDENT The Bottomless Swamp of Social Science Scientists The Wall of Self-Evidence Messages and the Feeling of Truth PART II: PRACTICAL REASON Work and Pleasure Work as Activity A Theory of Instrumental Action Rational Common Sense PART III: THE ELEMENTARY FORMS OF THE TRUTH EXPERIENCE Will and Animistic Thinking Totemic Thinking Magic Thinking Compelling Reason Particular Reasoning PART IV: THE RELATIVISTIC BASIS OF UNDERSTANDING Nature and Human Reality Culture On Genetics and Memetics Imitation and Assimilation PART V: THE STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS OF SOCIAL THINKING Socio-Genetic Dimensions of Perception Memetic Dynamics The Inevitability of Extremism Production of Value Homo Garrulus PART VI: THE RELATIVISTIC PERSPECTIVE Relativistic Method The Collapse of Modernism Cartesian Anxiety