The Sociologist to Whom Nothing Human Was Alien to Him

Abstract

Bauman was an exceptional figure, a generalist, to whom nothing human was alien to him; both ethical-existential and political-intellectual. Indeed, Bauman's long intellectual life has left virtually no social and human issues untouched: from socialism, modernity and postmodernity, to poverty, globalization, love, work, education, the intellectuals, social classes, community, politics, the Holocaust, consumption, fear, and art. In Bauman stands out by his determination to introduce himself, always incisively, in the most pressing themes and problems of every moment, sometimes stimulating the discussion within the intellectual communities and, in other cases, encouraging a much wider public debate. For Bauman, sociology could only be understood as an activity of political and cultural criticism, and as a faithful and acute personal mentor at the service of human emancipation. One can see both in the man and the social scientist a genuine and determined critical and public involvement vocation.