The Social Imagination by C. Wright Mills presents a break from rigid sociological schools creating room for independent thinking. The author defines the sociological imagination phenomena as “the vivid awareness of the relationship between experience and the wider society.” As such, it advocates for an individual’s freedom to observe things socially and interpret them depending on how they influence and interact with each other. However, sociological imagination can only be adopted when an individual is able to pull away from the situation and think from an alternative angle.
From the book, it is evident that Mills was keen or reconciling two divergent and abstract elements of social reality -the “society” and “the individual.” By doing so, the author sought to challenge the prevailing notions within sociology and offered criticism to some of the simplistic definitions and terms within the sociological field. He does not spare the then-current sociological trends as he goes ahead to define sociology for what he deems it: an essential historical and political profession. The basis of the book's critique was the fact that much of the sociologists at the time were sympathetic to the elite’s attitudes and ideas.
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In opposition to the elitist perspectives, Mills emphasized the fundamental importance of identifying linkages between social structure and personal agency and experience. The author is keen enough in the book in encouraging individuals to avoid rigid adherence to any one theory or methodology. He asserts that practicing sociology in such a way often brings about biased recommendations and results. The book encourages social scientists to look at the social science field holistically rather than specializing heavily in economics, sociology, psychology, political science et cetera. The book adopts a predictive outlook as Mills encourages sociologists to use their imagination of the future. Through sociological imagination, individuals can see not only what is real but also what could eventually evolve to reality should they decide to make it that way.
