Abstract

DORES, António Pedro. Stigma, intentions and states of mind. Sociologia, Problemas e Práticas [online]. 2018, n.86, pp.135-152. ISSN 0873-6529.  https://doi.org/10.7458/SPP2018863797.

Studying prisons claim for clarification of notions one work with. Deceit, guilt or intention are used by the criminal system. It works, as well, with stigma and social repugnance. None of these themes are of exclusive use of penal system. Mouzelis’ critique of social theory identifies reductionism and reification as continued problems, for decades. He proposes to build on protagonist action in space-time frames bullying with social levels. This paper uses state of mind as a concept in order to follow author’s insights. It will use prison as a case study. Its inspiration comes from theory of relativity which previewed the plasticity of space-time facing high energies, as the speed of the light. The paper presumes the plasticity of social structures, institutions and reality levels according to the intensity of agents and actions. State of mind are references to existential, vital and institutional stability. Stability is desired and possible, although precarious and in need of renovation.

Keywords : social theory; prisons; state of mind; stigma; social action.

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