Why? is a book about the explanations we give and how we give them--a
fascinating look at the way the reasons we offer every day are dictated
by, and help constitute, social relationships. Written in an
easy-to-read style by distinguished social historian Charles Tilly, the
book explores the manner in which people claim, establish, negotiate,
repair, rework, or terminate relations with others through the reasons
they give.
Tilly examines a number of different types of reason giving. For
example, he shows how an air traffic controller would explain the near
miss of two aircraft in several different ways, depending upon the
intended audience: for an acquaintance at a cocktail party, he might
shrug it off by saying "This happens all the time," or offer a chatty,
colloquial rendition of what transpired; for a colleague at work, he
would venture a longer, more technical explanation, and for a formal
report for his division head he would provide an exhaustive, detailed
account.
Tilly demonstrates that reasons fall into four different categories:
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Convention: "I'm sorry I spilled my coffee; I'm such a klutz."
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Narratives: "My friend betrayed me because she was jealous of my
sister."
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Technical cause-effect accounts: "A short circuit in the ignition
system caused the engine rotors to fail."
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Codes or workplace jargon: "We can't turn over the records. We're
bound by statute 369."
Tilly illustrates his topic by showing how a variety of people gave
reasons for the 9/11 attacks. He also demonstrates how those who work
with one sort of reason frequently convert it into another sort. For
example, a doctor might understand an illness using the technical
language of biochemistry, but explain it to his patient, who knows
nothing of biochemistry, by using conventions and stories.
Replete with sparkling anecdotes about everyday social experiences
(including the author's own), Why? makes the case for stories as one
of the great human inventions.