The Meaning of General Theoretical Sociology: Tradition and Formalization (American Sociological Association Rose Monographs)

Describing the field of sociology as a comprehensive research tradition, this book analyzes the field's various sub-traditions, and demonstrates that many of these traditions not only intersect, but share conceptual components. In close analyses of its central theoretical elements, the author develops an integrative philosophy of the field. Classical traditions in sociological thought are honored and utilized while newer methodologies, such as process studies, ethnomethodology, and network analysis, are incorporated. The emphasis of the book is on the formalization and unification of processes in order to advance the state of theory today. Along the way, numerous conceptual issues and methodological problems of interest in contemporary sociological theory are discussed. This book sets out a generative structuralist conception of general theoretical sociology; its philosophy, its problems, and its methods. The field is defined as a comprehensive research tradition with many intersecting subtraditions that share conceptual components. The focus is on formalization and unification as processes that can help advance the state of theory today. An integrative philosophy of the field is set out in terms of a process worldview, with a focus on generativity in explanation and a conception of the structure of theories as hierarchical meaning control systems. This philosophy is implemented in two phases. In the first phase, Professor Fararo defines the core problems of theoretical sociology in the context of setting out and illustrating the logic of a nonlinear dynamical social systems framework. A critical analysis of the outcome of this phase then leads, in the second phase, to formal treatments of action principles and structural analysis. A variety of traditions are drawn upon to treat theoretical problems of order and integration, as well as to examine searchingly problems of formalization and unification in theoritical sociology The task of this chapter is to state the main philosophical and metatheoretical elements that form the general presuppositions of generative structuralism, the approach taken in this book. Thomas J. Fararo. Includes Indexes. Bibliography: P. 362-373.