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"Anarchafeminism" by Chiara Bottici explores the possibility of order without hierarchy and the potential for a "thick" collectivity that maintains individual distinctiveness. The book argues that anarchafeminism, rooted in opposition to all hierarchies, can bring together various perspectives such as Marxism, feminism, queer theory, and ecology more effectively than intersectionality. It also proposes a theory of trans-individualism, drawing on the works of Baruch Spinoza, to challenge methodological individualism in feminist theorizing. Additionally, the book advocates for a decolonial and de-imperial anarchafeminism that examines the relationships between gender oppression, capitalism, production, reproduction, and ecology. [Extracted from the article]

The article "Singularity, Individuality, and Transindividuality in Chiara Bottici's Anarchafeminism" examines the concept of singularity and its connection to sexism and oppression. The author argues that sexism cannot be understood in isolation, but rather as part of a larger system of domination that includes economic, cultural, racial, and heteronormative oppression. The article emphasizes the diversity of the female experience and rejects reducing it to a single characteristic. It also advocates for a non-hierarchical feminism that recognizes the interconnectedness of all forms of oppression. Drawing on the philosophy of Spinoza, the author proposes a pluralistic understanding of womanhood that challenges hierarchical notions of superiority. The article explores the concept of transindividuality in Spinozist ontology and its implications for understanding hierarchy, individuality, and domination. It suggests that Spinoza's ontology disrupts hierarchical conceptions by emphasizing the ongoing process of individuation and the composition of various bodies. The text also delves into the role of the imaginal in comprehending domination and considers the potential application of transindividuality beyond human relationships. It raises questions about the relationship between ontological egalitarianism and concrete inequality, the circulation of the imaginal among complex bodies, and the phenomenon of self-subjugation. [Extracted from the article]

Rethinking the Individualism-Holism Debate edited by Julie Zahle and Finn Collin is reviewed. Each of the contributions contained in the volume is summarized. The review concludes by assessing the volume’s usefulness for bringing clarity into the debate in the light of the editors’ self-set goal of rethinking the individualism-holism debate as one of the more important yet confused debates in philosophy of the social sciences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT This review essay surveys and assesses Rage and Denials: Collectivist Philosophy, Politics, and Art Historiography, 1890-1947 by Branko Mitrović, focusing on a) Mitrović's case that German art-historical practices during this period were factually ill-founded, inconsistent, and motivated by narcissism and ethnic prejudice, and b) the broader issue of whether collectivist historical explanations of artistic and cultural developments can ever be apt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reviews the book "Methodological Individualism: Background, History and Meaning," by Lars Udehn.

The article analyzes the short story "The Story of Hu Wenqing," by Wei Wei. The author explores the characters and plot, and notes the pivot at around two-third of the way through the story, the quiet authority of the ending, and aspects of the story that may cause problems for Western readers including the phrase Rebel Faction, and use of the word Rebel. The author credits the author for handling the tension between the individualistic and the collectivist.

The article presents information about two books. "The Logic of Social Action," by Raymond Boudon; "A Contemporary Critique of Historical Materialism," by Anthony Giddens. Boudon is the quintessential systems theorist, on a mission seemingly designed to demonstrate the value and enjoyment contained in what he terms methodological individualism, an approach that holds that statements about society are, at least in principle. Both Boudon and Giddens are relatively successful in achieving their respective goals, and, therefore, both of these works deserve widespread attention from the discipline. Boudon believes that the role of sociology is strongly sated to that of history. Simply put, sociology's mission is to construct a model of a system of interaction which takes into account structurally produced, yet unintended consequences. Giddens' work is both eclectic and encyclopedic. The first four chapters are concerned with defining and explaining the overall paradigm by which Giddens hope to improve upon historical materialism. Giddens' sophisticated focus centers on the examination of time or space relations in conjunction with the generation of power.

Reviews the book "Socialism as the Sociological Ideal: A Broader Basis for Socialism," by Floyd Melvin.

Reviews the book "Whitewashing Race: The Myth of a Color-Blind Society," by Michael K. Brown, Martin Carnoy, Elliott Currie, Troy Duster, David B. Oppenheimer, Marjorie M. Shultz and David Wellman.