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Flügel, Peter (2018) 'Social-Differentiation and Self-Differentiation The Jaina Concept of the Individual and Sociological Individualisation-Paradigms (Part I).' Max Weber Studies, 18 (2). pp. 212-273.

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Abstract

While ‘individuality’ is regarded as a cultural construct, this article argues that its trans-cultural investigation has hardly begun, both empirically and theoretically. Comparative work to date has been confined to euro-centric approaches. South Asian models of the individual, though amongst the earliest on record, have not been taken seriously as credible alternatives to European models, other than under the label of ‘ethnosociology’. The present article seeks to redress the balance, by offering a sociological reconstruction of the classical concept of the individual in Jaina philosophy and of its social implications. It argues that previously opaque aspects of the dualistic conception of individuality of the Jainas can be freshly understood, and analysed, with the help of the sociological concepts of G. Simmel and N. Luhmann, which in turn are interpreted as variations of broader transcultural themes.

Item Type: Journal Article
Keywords: Jainism, Individual, Dividual, Renunciation, Alienation, Hierarchy, Equality, Ātman, Nāma-karman, Vyakti, Self, Action, Person, Quantification, Dilthey, Dumont, Luhmann, Marriott, Simmel
SOAS Departments & Centres: School Research Centres > Centre of Jaina Studies
Departments and Subunits > School of History, Religions & Philosophies > Department of Religions & Philosophies
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GN Anthropology
H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
P Language and Literature > PK Indo-Iranian languages and literatures
B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion
D History General and Old World
ISSN: 14708078
Copyright Statement: © Max Weber Studies 2018. This is the published version of record. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Date Deposited: 02 Nov 2018 11:34
URI: https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/id/eprint/26395
Related URLs: http://maxweberstudies.org/ (Publisher URL)
Funders: Other

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