Abstract
There has been much debate in social research about the understanding of social change. At first glance it seems that conflicting positions are dominant, which define social change as that which is determined by societal development and seen as a process upon which the influence of human action is very limited. The determining aspect of the social was profoundly expressed by Karl Marx, who emphasized that while human beings make history they do not exist in free and chosen conditions and so the tradition of all ‘death generations’ is like a nightmare on the brain of the living (Marx, 1960, p. 115). An alternative to this perspective of the human being bound by social conditions brought into being by previous generations is the notion that social change is the result of human action. Indeed, the longing for a better life and for a better world becomes efficacious. Accordingly, human action is seen as a thriving force through which social change is propelled. Walter Benjamin argued that such actions could be detected and identified in history. Past events show the capacity of human beings to achieve social change and improve social conditions but can fail — this was seen by Benjamin as a weak messianic force which is passed from previous generations to the current one (Benjamin, 1977, pp. 251–252).
Keywords
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Copyright information
© 2008 Thomas Geisen
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Geisen, T. (2008). The Notion of Ambivalence: Human Action and Social Change beyond Analytical Individualism. In: Cox, P., Geisen, T., Green, R. (eds) Qualitative Research and Social Change. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230583962_3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230583962_3
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-349-35899-1
Online ISBN: 978-0-230-58396-2
eBook Packages: Palgrave Social & Cultural Studies CollectionSocial Sciences (R0)