Practice and Field: Revising Bourdieu’s Concepts

Abstract

This paper seeks to clarify for purposes of sociological analysis two overlapping concepts, field and practice. Its point of departure is an observation about changes in direction in the work of Pierre Bourdieu. The concept of practice, upon which he worked extensively in the first half of his career, was demoted, replaced by the concept of field, previously a minor thematic concern. The initial focus of the paper is the relationship between the two concepts in Distinction where, uniquely, practice and field are given equal and explicit treatment, but where neither concept is very effectively applied and their relationship is obscure. His subsequent development of the concept of field, though very impressive, resulted in its becoming overstretched. Some of its inadequacies are identified, especially its dependence on the analogy with games. The central claim of the paper is then advanced; that the remedy lies in the introduction of some elements of a reconfigured theory of practice. This permits consideration of aspects of conduct ignored or marginalised by Bourdieu in his depiction of the logic of fields, among which are non-strategic action, purposeful behaviour in non-competitive circumstances, internal goods arising from participation in practice, and discrepancies between competence and social position. The distinctive remits of the two concepts are specified and illustrated through a discussion of the practice of eating out and the culinary field. Some theoretical implications are discussed in conclusion.