Robert Musil and classical sociology

What is it about?

The writings of the Austrian novelist and essayist Robert Musil provide sociology with vital problems and reflections. Indeed, Musil introduces discussions that extend conventional understanding of modernity – sociology's general object of analysis. The article focuses on two major sets of questions in Musil’s work: the shapelessness of man and the relation between reason and sentiments. Both problems are essential in that genuine twentieth century experience which Musil calls functional stupidity: the functionalisation of the mind to collective demands of the party, the race and the nation. The article discusses Musil’s arguments by relating them to central propositions in classical sociology (Simmel, Weber, Kracauer, Tönnies, Park). Classical sociology, in turn, is defined as a sub-discourse of classical modern reflection.

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Why is it important?

The article discusses a highly relevant concept and idea in the work of the author Robert Musil, including its importance for understanding both Musil's own time – Europe characterised by ever more rationalisation and also the plague of totalitarianism – as well as our own culture. The paper also demonstrates the proximity of Musil's writings for the sociology of classical modernity.

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