Routledge Gifts of Cooperation, Mauss and Pragmatism Book

Explore the profound impact of Marcel Mauss on social theory with Gifts of Cooperation, Mauss and Pragmatism. Part of the Routledge Global Cooperation Series, this text examines how Mauss's 1925 essay, "The Gift," serves as a foundation for pragmatist, interactionist, and anti-utilitarian sociology. This book challenges the traditional sociological divide between self-interest and normatively oriented action. By critiquing this dichotomy, the author reveals how many forms of social interaction are often missed because they do not fit neatly into categories of pure morality or pure self-interest. This work provides a new way to understand how humans cooperate and interact within social structures. Ideal for students and scholars in anthropology and sociology, this volume offers a deep look at the theories that shape our understanding of social exchange. It provides a necessary perspective for those studying the complex ways people engage with one another beyond simple economic or moral models.