Document (#32734)

Author

Bowker, G.C.
Star, S.L.

Title

Sorting things out : classification and its consequences

Imprint

Cambridge, MA : MIT Press

Year

1999

Pages

377 S

Isbn

0-262-02461-6

Series

Inside technology

Abstract

Is this book sociology, anthropology, or taxonomy? Sorting Things Out, by communications theorists Geoffrey C. Bowker and Susan Leigh Star, covers a lot of conceptual ground in its effort to sort out exactly how and why we classify and categorize the things and concepts we encounter day to day. But the analysis doesn't stop there; the authors go on to explore what happens to our thinking as a result of our classifications. With great insight and precise academic language, they pick apart our information systems and language structures that lie deeper than the everyday categories we use. The authors focus first on the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), a widely used scheme used by health professionals worldwide, but also look at other health information systems, racial classifications used by South Africa during apartheid, and more. Though it comes off as a bit too academic at times (by the end of the 20th century, most writers should be able to get the spelling of McDonald's restaurant right), the book has a clever charm that thoughtful readers will surely appreciate. A sly sense of humor sneaks into the writing, giving rise to the chapter title "The Kindness of Strangers," for example. After arguing that categorization is both strongly influenced by and a powerful reinforcer of ideology, it follows that revolutions (political or scientific) must change the way things are sorted in order to throw over the old system. Who knew that such simple, basic elements of thought could have such far-reaching consequences? Whether you ultimately place it with social science, linguistics, or (as the authors fear) fantasy, make sure you put Sorting Things Out in your reading pile.

Footnote

Rez. in: Knowledge organization 27(2000) no.3, H.175-177 (B. Kwasnik); College and research libraries 61(2000) no.4, S.380-381 (J. Williams); Library resources and technical services 44(2000) no.4, S.107-108 (H.A. Olson); JASIST 51(2000) no.12, S.1149-1150 (T.A. Brooks)

Theme

Klassifikationstheorie: Elemente / Struktur

Field

Medizin

Object

ICD

LCSH

Knowledge, Sociology of
Classification

RSWK

Wissenssoziologie / Klassifikation

BK

02.10 / Wissenschaft und Gesellschaft
06.70 / Katalogisierung / Bestandserschließung

DDC

001/.01/2 / dc21

LCC

BD175.B68 1999

RVK

MS 6950
CC 4400 Philosophie / Systematische Philosophie / Erkenntnistheorie / Abhandlungen zur Erkenntnistheorie
AN 93400 Allgemeines / Buch- und Bibliothekswesen, Informationswissenschaft / Informationswissenschaft / Grundlagen, Theorie / Klassifikation

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