Article summary
This paper is a detailed summary of an article in social theory. The key aspects captured in the paper include the specific arguments put forward by the author within the article. The article examines different aspects of social totality in the present world. The key elements explored within the article include political, aesthetics, as well as conceptual issues. The author describes different elements of social theory in relation to mapping modes. Moreover, a succinct definition of the mapping in the area is provided with examples drawn from different artistic works provided for elaboration. The argument within the article is developed using a historical review of different social-scientific disciplines.
A review of the aspect of sociological imagination as put forward by past scholars is incorporated in the article. Moreover, the aspect of aesthetics of cognitive mapping is evaluated comprehensively with relation to mediation of personal experience. A comparative analysis of the different perspectives of Fredric Jameson and Wright mills in the subject matter forms the basis of the argument within the article. Contrasting the different perspectives with regard to systemic constraints is reviewed in details. The comparative analysis puts into perspective the issues raised by Bruno Latour in his actor-network theory. Te argument developed within the article is that unlike Jameson and Wright, Latour’s theory proposes relative totality or reduction in reaction to the subject matter. The perspective provided by Jameson was that there is a significant desire for totalization. These desires are mostly beyond the control of human beings. However, social relations play a critical role in defining the totalization processes. Moreover, the argument those contemporary artistic efforts can be instrumental in defining sociology in relation to social or economic power. Social theoretical perspective portrayed in the article is justified using a methodological approach. An example is described of how easy it is to dismiss a theory to due to the absence of traces for all the origins of the theory.
Another key aspect highlighted in the article is the in ability of some panoramas to provide a totalizing perception as well as an illusion of mastery that is seamless. This was especially true in the 19th century. This is contrary to the expectations of other postulations of the 20th century. The aspect of viewing the practice of panorama in contemporary arts as a holistic aspect is depicted in the article’s argument. Through a review of the relationship between perceptual fragmentation and totalizing vision over time, effects of different political and economic transformation are depicted. To enhance the argument put forward an example of artistic works by artistic such as Allan Sekula are described to be useful in defining different sociological elements. Another artist depicted to have embraced the concept is Mark Lombardi. Critics have portrayed him as political researcher and artist.
The article draws various conclusion wit references to the concept of the panorama. First, it is clear that the term has been colloquially used over the years. However, modernity has a role to play in the present application of the concept. Secondly, the changes of global capitalism have significant influenced aesthetic realism as well as the abstract dimensions of present day art. Thirdly, the concept of cognitive mapping is increasingly being applied in the world due to a number of factors. Most importantly, the need to enhance secrecy as well as coercion in the global environment is described as a key contributor.
References
Toscano, A. (2012). Seeing it whole: staging totality in social theory and art. Sociological Review, 64-83. doi:10.1111/j.1467-954X.2012.02117.x
