A First Reading of “Distinction”

As a Labor Studies student I was particularly intrigued by Bordieu’s commentary on social divisions, and the role that “distinction”  plays in determining one’s social stature. He describes the typical dialogue surrounding class divisions as being primarily “opposition between the dominant and the dominated,” and goes on to question where exactly these social and economic divisions exist. This unique question seems to suggest perhaps more of a continuum of social inequality as opposed to social categories as they are often conceived, which opens up a new perspective on the organization of society. In line with this reimagining of social divisions and the distribution of wealth, Bordieu continues to reshape commonly held perspectives on social class divisions with his view regarding his interpretation of “distinction.” In a reevaluation of what factors contribute to social categorization, he focuses in on “taste” as an important factor often overlooked in the examination of social class, taking a complex look at “cultural capital” or the tastes or preferances which one has that are suggestive of “class,” and the social implications associated with such distinctions. “Cultural capital” suggests an additional impediment to social mobility, not so concrete in the way that economic or discriminatory factors (such as race or gender) tend to be, but nonetheless an important force to recognize as it certainly prevents individuals from moving from one social sphere to another. This idea illuminates the intensely influential quality that taste plays in our lives, and asks us to consider what forces have led us to shape those tastes.