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On reflexivity and the conduct of the self in everyday life: reflections on B ourdieu and A rcher
Author(s) -
Akram Sadiya,
Hogan Anthony
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the british journal of sociology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.826
H-Index - 92
eISSN - 1468-4446
pISSN - 0007-1315
DOI - 10.1111/1468-4446.12150
Subject(s) - reflexivity , habitus , agency (philosophy) , late modernity , sociology , epistemology , structure and agency , everyday life , action (physics) , social science , philosophy , physics , quantum mechanics , cultural capital
This article provides a critique of the concept of reflexivity in social theory today and argues against the tendency to define agency exclusively in terms of reflexivity. M argaret A rcher, in particular, is highlighted as a key proponent of this thesis. Archer argues that late modernity is characterized by reflexivity but, in our view, this position neglects the impact of more enduring aspects of agency, such as the routinization of social life and the role of the taken‐for‐granted. These concepts were pivotal to B ourdieu and G iddens' theorization of everyday life and action and to F oucault's understanding of technologies of the self. We offer B ourdieu's habitus as a more nuanced approach to theorizing agency, and provide an alternative account of reflexivity. Whilst accepting that reflexivity is a core aspect of agency, we argue that it operates to a backdrop of the routinization of social life and operates from within and not outside of habitus. We highlight the role of the breach in reflexivity, suggesting that it opens up a critical window for agents to initiate change. The article suggests caution in over‐ascribing reflexivity to agency, instead arguing that achieving reflexivity and change is a difficult and fraught process, which has emotional and moral consequences. The effect of this is that people often prefer the status quo, rather than to risk change and uncertainty.