Order and Potentiality in Interaction Ritual Theory

Datos Bibliográficos

ID2364044
AutoresIddo Tavory (0000-0002-4603-8958, New York University, New York, NY, USA, autor de correspondencia), Nicholas Hoynes (0009-0007-0425-1914, New York University, New York, NY, USA), Nicholas B Hoynes (New York University)
Año2025
Volumen43
Número1
Páginas52-66
Fecha de publicación2025-03-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaSociological Theory (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0735-2751 • E-ISSN: 1467-9558
EditorialSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/07352751251315940
OpenAlexW4407190731
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas3
Referencias citadas62

Interaction ritual theory is one of the most important contributions of micro-sociological theory, tying together the production of local order and actors' ongoing projects. Although Goffman replaced the 'social' order of classical anthropology with an endogenous 'interaction' order, such theory conceives ritual as reflecting and enacting an existing structure. Drawing on recent interactionist work and developments in ritual theory, we complement this understanding of ritual with an account of potentiality. Interaction rituals undoubtedly sacralize the self that is presented in interaction and defend the interaction order within which such selves are enmeshed, yet they simultaneously open up potential avenues for transformation of selves and relationships. Ritual action is strewn with moments in which the world appears not as it is but as it could be: a subjunctive 'what if' of social life. We show how focusing on the interplay between order and potentiality in interaction ritual provides a more precise way to understand interaction and new ways to approach forms of interactional inequality

Epistemology · Order (exchange · Sociology · Cross-Cultural and Social Analysis · Cultural Differences and Values · Philosophy · Social and Cultural Dynamics