Sociology Books on Blinkist – This Is Society

Humans are the most complex beings in the world. As social creatures, we constantly interact and form relationships with other humans from different cultures, belief systems, and upbringings. Sociology is a discipline that seeks to demystify the complexities of human society through different scientific approaches. Sociology books are the most valuable resource for understanding the fascinating intricacies of human society.
These books provide us with insights into the structure, patterns, and dynamics of human behavior and the factors that influence them to act the way they do. They shed light on the social interactions, power dynamics, social inequality, governance, and other facets of society.
In this article, we will explore some of the best sociology books to read. You can listen to the key ideas of these books on Blinkist, and we will provide links to them.
What Is Sociology?
To give us a clear understanding of what sociology is, we will see it like a puzzle and a map. Let’s imagine humans as a puzzle. A puzzle has different scattered pieces that the player has to study and put together to form a meaningful image. In the same way, sociology studies the different pieces of human society. It looks at the way individuals, groups, cultures, and institutions interact to make up the larger society.
We can therefore see sociology as a map. Just as a map provides us with accurate direction through unfamiliar terrain, sociology gives us an understanding of the complexities of human society. It gives us insight into the structures, patterns, and processes that shape human behavior.
The Best Sociology Books on Blinkist
Here are some of the best sociology books you will find on Blinkist. Don’t forget to check out the “This Is Society” and “Society & Culture” Collections we have curated for you.
1. The Human Swarm by Mark W. Moffett
The Human Swarm
- 26 min reading time
- audio version available
In The Human Swarm, Mark Moffett draws from his knowledge of sociology, psychology, and anthropology, to show how humans operate like a swarm of bees. Using interesting stories and analogies, the author shows the dynamism of human interactions in group settings. He sheds light on culture, evolution, conflict, corporation, and other factors that arise from human interaction in groups. The author gives a clear explanation of how humans function as a social species and argues that our decisions and behavior are influenced by the social instinct that arises from the society we created.
2. Blueprint by Nicholas A. Christakis
Blueprint: The Evolutionary Origins of a Good Society presents facts to back the claim that human nature is shaped by genetic and cultural factors, and argues that these could be used as a blueprint for building a good society. The author— a physician and social scientist— vehemently disagrees that either genetics or nurture (culture) determines human behavior. Instead, he argues that our behavior is shaped by an interplay of both factors. He also adds that evolution has placed humans on a humane path. Blueprint further postulates that understanding the interplay of genetics alongside evolution and social norms like altruism, fairness, and kindness is vital in building a healthy society.
3. Survival of the Friendliest by Brian Hare by Vanessa Wood
In Survival of the Friendliest, Brain Hare and Vanessa Wood show how friendliness and cooperation are essential survival skills needed. The authors follow an evolutionary perspective to show that as humans evolved into more empathic, kind, and tolerant beings, they were able to advance from living in small groups and clusters to living together as a big society.
4. The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters by Priya Parker
Drawing from her experience as a facilitator, Priya Parker criticizes the current ways in which humans organize their gatherings. She shares stories and analogies to show that most gatherings do not reach their full potential due to improper organization. The book also shares some valuable insights on how to make every gathering a lasting and memorable experience for all the people involved.
5. The War For Kindness by Jamil Zaki
The War For Kindness
- 13 min reading time
- audio version available
Many people believe that empathy is an inborn characteristic, but this book begs to differ. The War For Kindness is a groundbreaking work that shows that empathy can be nurtured and cultivated. Zaki discusses that the world today lacks empathy, but we can fix this by building it ourselves. The author backs up his claims with scientific research and real-life examples and shows how this way of nurturing empathy can make the world a better place.
6. Social Empathy by Elizabeth Segal
Elizabeth Segal takes the act of developing empathy a notch further in this book. As a social worker, she uses this text to share the role of empathy in social work. She argues that empathy is not just an innate trait, but a social phenomenon that grows out of different social, cultural, and contextual factors.
7. Collapse by Jared Diamond
Collapse
- 19 min reading time
Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed analyses some of the factors that lead to the success or failure of societies. Using the stories of the Maya civilization, Easter Island, and the Viking settlements in Greenland, Diamond explains how political, economic, environmental and social factors can cause the collapse of a promising civilization. The author also highlights other societies that managed to avert an imminent collapse through holistic management of the aforementioned factors.
8. The World Until Yesterday by Jared Diamond
In The World Until Yesterday, Jared Diamond takes our minds back to the past to reflect on how hunters and gatherers of the past resolved conflicts. The author compared traditional societies to modern societies and points out the things we could learn from them in terms of parenting, health, conflict resolution, etc.
9. The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell with Bill Moyers
In The Power of Myth, Campbell and Moyers explore the role of myths in shaping societal culture. They also explore the differences and similarities between myths and religion and spirituality.
10. Beyond Culture by Edward Hall
Beyond Culture explores the ways in which culture influences human behavior and communication. The book presents a concept called high-context and low-context culture and uses them to explain the difference in communication approaches across different cultures. In all, it gives readers a clear insight into how culture shapes our perception and behavior.
Blinkist Collections about Society and Humans
If these works of literature interest you, you should create a playlist of sociology books on Blinkist. These books will shape your understanding of society and help you forge a better relationship with other humans.
Create your Blinkist account today and start listening to short podcasts made from the key elements of these books. See you on Blinkist.