Theory in american Sociology [antikvár]

Preface Theory, methodology, and research collectively produce a mature discipline. Sociology can no longer favor any one of these, nor can it disregard the incessant interchanges among such specialized sociological enterprises. Consequently, it is gratifying to see not only recent sophisticated treatments of research design and analysis (methodology), and a staggering mass of completed sociological investigations, but also a growing interest (in books, articles, and courses) in organized attempts at identifying and resolving sociological problems—the realm of theory. Because of the vast literature on sociological theorizing, a proper appreciation of theory (both its contributions and limitations) is clearly a difficult task. My provisional solution in this book is necessarily a compromise, but one that may be revised without major surgery. I have come to the conclusion that it is impossible to discuss sociological theories without dissecting the nature of theory itself and also giving some attention to variant forms and levels of theoretical statements in sociology. These are the aims of the introductory chapter, which, to my knowledge, have not yet been incorporated in any textbook on substantive sociological theory. But the next decision concerns coverage. It seems necessary to introduce the student to representative "high points" in the classic period of theorizing, even though (a) some important counter-trends or lost trails are thereby ignored and (?) the earher proponents of distinctive concepts, problems, and viewpoints must receive little or no mention. Indeed, even the handful of theorists from the classic period (discussed in Chapters i and 2) are V