Studies in Ethnomethodology Harold Garfinkel

“The studies in this volume were written over the last twelve years. I regret a certain unity in the collection that was obtained by pondering and rearranging texts. I am saddened by that practice for in the way it assures to the collected articles an overall “good sense” it will certainly have sacrificed news. The articles originated from my studies of the writings of Talcott Parsons, Alfred Schutz, Aron Gurwitsch, and Edmund Husserl. For twenty years their writings have provided me with inexhaustible directives into the world of everyday activities. Parsons’ work, particularly, remains awesome for the penetrating depth and unfailing precision of its practical sociological reasoning on the constituent tasks of the problem of social order and its solutions”.

Preface, Harold Garfinkel

“Ethnomethodology, the study of the ways in which ordinary people construct a stable social world through everyday utterances and actions, is now a major component of all sociology and linguistics courses. Garfinkel’s formidable reputation as one of the worlds leading sociologists rest largely on the work contained in this book” (Wiley).

"The studies in this volume were written over the last twelve years. I regret a certain unity in the collection that was obtained by pondering and rearranging texts. I am saddened by this practice for the way it assures to the collected articles an overall "good sense" it will certainly have sacrificed nuance. The articles originated from my studies of the writings of Talcott Parsons, Alfred Schutz, Aron Gurwitsch, and Edmund Husserl. For twenty years, their writings have provided me with inexhaustible directives into the world of everyday activities. Parsons' work, particularly, remains awesome for the penetrating depth and unfailing precision of its practical sociological reasoning on the constituent tasks of the problem of social order and its solutions.

Harold Garfinkel: The Father of Ethnomethodology

Harold Garfinkel, an eminent sociologist, is renowned for founding and developing ethnomethodology. Born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1917, Garfinkel's academic journey led him to explore the intricate ways in which individuals construct social reality through their everyday interactions.

Garfinkel's seminal work, "Studies in Ethnomethodology," revolutionized sociological inquiry by shifting the focus from large-scale social structures to the micro-level practices and methods employed by individuals to make sense of their social world. His groundbreaking approach involved meticulous observation of everyday interactions, allowing him to uncover the tacit rules and assumptions that underpin social order.

Garfinkel's influence extends far beyond sociology, inspiring researchers in fields such as anthropology, linguistics, and psychology. His legacy lies in his ability to illuminate the hidden structures of social life and to challenge traditional sociological perspectives. By emphasizing the importance of understanding the methods by which individuals create and maintain social order, Garfinkel has left an enduring mark on the social sciences.