"East" and "West" Perspective from the Sociology of Knowledge

Abstract

This study elaborates and (re)conceptualizes the "east" and the "west", representing the two distinct historical and socio-economic whole from a "sociology of knowledge" dimension. The most important consequence of the defining characteristics of "the west" (as being hierarchical and exclusive), lies in its class-based and partial nature resulting in an identification of knowledge with power. This is also responsible for the "metaphysical nature" of the "western" knowledge and science: "Dualistic-exclusive and polaristic" character of "western habitus" creating a large gap between "theory and practice" can also be understood in this context. All these together explain the reasons for not being capable of '" universal and representative" of modern knowledge and science. As a result, this study projects that as "eastern characteristics" has increasingly become more hegemonical on global level, a transition from cyclically reproducing "exclusive and contradictory" relational and methodological "western style" to comprehensive new paradigmatic methodologies and syntheses will be expected.

Keywords

"The east" and "the west", habitus, sociology of knowledge, power, Islam and Christianity

Citation

Özdemir, Şennur, "East" and "West" Perspective from the Sociology of Knowledge, International Relations, Volume 1, Issue 1 (Spring 2004), pp. 61-92.

Affiliations

• Şennur Özdemir, Dr., Ankara University, Faculty of Political Sciences, Department of Labor Economics and Industrial Relations