Death of Jean-Claude Passeron, a major French figure in sociology

Sociologist Jean-Claude Passeron passed away on October 30 at the age of 95. He is often associated with Pierre Bourdieu, with whom he collaborated on significant sociological works. Their partnership began in 1961 at the Sorbonne, leading to the publication of "Le Métier de sociologue" in 1968. They conducted surveys among students, resulting in the influential books "Les Héritiers" in 1964 and "La Reproduction" in 1970. These works critique meritocracy and highlight the role of inherited cultural capital in education, emphasizing that true equality of opportunity is an illusion. Their analysis remains relevant today, particularly in the context of current youth movements.