I've been reading all the questions and answers on the e-mail with great
interest. I appreciate Donna Darden's request for my input. Unfortunately,
this term I am loaded down with teaching assignments and writing obligations
that take up a lot of my time. But here are a few thoughts:
On freedom and determinism: Why not reconceptualize both terms--i.e.,
"freedom" and " determinism"--as social constructions of the possible human
condition. Then, rather than asking which one is "true" or "valid", one
could look to see which one is employed for what situation and what are the
consequences that ensue when each one is employed.
On objects and symbols: David Altheide's contribution is the right way to
proceed on this question. All members of Jon Epstein's class should also be
reading Herbert Blumer, SYMBOLIC INTERACTION very closely on this
matter.Also, readers might try putting together the thesis of Stanford M.
Lyman and Marvin B. Scott, A SOCIOLOGY OF THE ABSURD, with respect to both
questions of freedom and determinism and objects and symbols.
Try it! You'll like it!
Stanford M. Lyman
p.s. I have just received word that University of Arkansas Press will
publish my book entitled POSTMODERNISM AND A SOCIOLOGY OF THE ABSURD AND
OTHER ESSAYS ON THE "NOUVELLE VAGUE" IN SOCIAL SCIENCE in early 1997.