The Social Structure of Right and Wrong

The handling of right and wrong, known in sociology as social control or conflict management, covers everything from a brief glance of disapproval to the horrific bombing of a large city. This book contains formulations that predict and explain the nature of social control. "The Social Structure of Right and Wrong" uses a theoretical approach, pursuing a radically sociological (not psychological) and uncompromisingly scientific approach to the application of morality. The book provides a wealth of new sociological theory on largely unexplored topics such as vengeance, discipline, avoidance, pacification, negotiation and toleration. It contains new concepts and typologies applicable to partisan and nonpartisan forms of conflict management. It also offers new theoretical perspectives on: crime as a form of self-help; the broadening legal liability of organizations; social control of the self; social determination; evolution of partisanship; and moralism. Black is the author of "The Behavior of Law" also published by Academic Press.