Towards a sociology of imagination
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Towards a sociology of imagination Todd Nicholas Fuist 1 Accepted: 1 September 2020/ # Springer Nature B.V. 2020
Abstract Cultural sociologists have devised numerous theoretical tools for analyzing meaning making among individuals and groups. Yet, the cognitive processes which underpin these theories of meaning making are often bracketed out. Drawing on three different qualitative research projects, respectively on activists, religious communities, and gamers, this article synthesizes work in sociology, psychology, and philosophy, to develop a sociology of imagination. Current work highlights that (1) imagination is a higher order mental function, (2) powerful in its effects, which (3) facilitates intersubjectivity, and (4) is socially constructive. However, sociology can additionally contribute to scholarly understandings of imagination, which have often focused on individualistic mental imaging, by highlighting the degree to which (a) imagination allows individuals and groups to coordinate identities, actions, and futures, (b) imagination relies on widely shared cultural elements, and (c) imagination is often undertaken collectively, in groups. The article concludes with suggestions for future sociological work on imagination. Keywords Cognitive sociology . Identity construction . Imagination . Progressive religious
communities . Social movements . Sociological theory As I walked down the sidewalk with Pete, a member of an anarchist collective, he ruminated on various groups he perceived as allies in what he called the “global uprising against capitalism.” He named the Zapatistas in Mexico and various workers’ collectives in Europe, before commenting that many “liberals” want to be a part of the movement but are too afraid to fully reject capitalism. Lighting up a hand-rolled cigarette, he said “it’s okay, though. We’ll all be friends in the end. Cause capitalism will inevitably fall, and someday we’ll all dance on the ruins together.” As he said this,
* Todd Nicholas Fuist [email protected]
1
Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Illinois Wesleyan University, 1312 Park St, Bloomington, IL 61701, USA
Theory and Society
his eyes narrowed and he stared off into the distance, as if he could actually see the utopian future he described. Since the “cultural turn” in sociology, there has been ongoing interest in how meaning and understanding shape social action, leading to the development of a variety of theoretical concepts. Examples abound, but if we take the sociology of social movements, we find “collective identities” posited as necessary precursors to joint action (Taylor and Whittier 1992), while “frames” that help these collective actors cast blame and suggest fruitful strategies (Snow and Benford 1988). In the process, movements create and disseminate “narratives,” telling stories about their past and envisioning their futures (Polletta 2006). Nearly any area of sociological inquiry could be mined for similar ideas on how shared meaning shapes social life. Yet, despite the proliferation on such concep
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