Raymond Boudon is one of the leading sociologists in Europe today. His previous books include The Analysis of Ideology (Polity, 1989) and Theories of Social Change (Polity, 1991).

"The simple title of this erudite and eclectic book does not do justice to the complexity or range of phenomena examined by Boudon. Students of the history of science, philosophy of science, sociology of knowledge, and psychology will find this a challenging and well-argued work. Upper-division undergraduate through professional." Choice "This is a well-written volume with wide implications for the sociology of knowledge that should be useful for a variety of advanced courses." BSA Network"Cautious, logical, and fresh ... philosophically, Boudon stands forth as martial voice for social science, ready to defend, from the persistent attacks of antiscientific hyperbole, a sociological tradition won at great cost over the last 100 years." American Journal of Sociology"I hope this book will be followed by a debate about the issues it raises because it deserves that kind of attention." Acta Sociologica

• Preface. Part I:.1. The Powers that Induce us to Agree.2. Good Reasons for Believing in False Ideas.3. Simmel's Model.4. Hyperbole Machines..Part II: .5. Questions and Answers.6. No Effect Without Cause.7. Truth is Unique.8. Words and Things.Part III:.9. Reason with a Small.10. Simmel and the Theory of Knowledge.Notes.Index.