What Does Theory Do

Presentation Transcript

What Does Theory Do? Recognizes Sociology as: 1. Movement 2. Field of Enquiry 3. Type of Explanation

Course Themes Theory or Theories? Solidarity and Diversity Society &/or Person: Structure &/or Action Development of "works of art" Marx Durkheim Weber What is Sociology for?

What Is Sociology For "Traditional" view: 3 'E's 1. Edification 2. Liberation 3. Mastery

Enlightenment Tradition Names: Voltaire, Rousseau, Condorcet, Diderot and so on Themes: From To Superstition Reason Tradition Progress Repression Emancipation

Romantic Tradition Names: Burke, Chateaubriand Defense of Against Tradition Modernity Wisdom Rationality Collectivity Individualism Order Revolution Source: Nisbet, R Tradition and Revolt

What is Theory? Relationship of hypothesis to reality: 1. Display : portrayal of reality 2. Rearrangements : focussing of reality 3. Legitimization : requesting of reality

Theory as "Model" 1 Simile: … ..reference to thing or individual with unequivocal correlation with it of what is being talked about, as outline or trimming e.g. "as snuffed out and stone cold" Source: Concise Oxford Dictionary

Theory as Model 2 Metaphor: Application of name or unmistakable term or expression to a question or activity to which it is not truly relevant, e.g. "a glaring blunder", "something to think about", "tower of quality". Source: Concise Oxford Dictionary

Metaphors in Sociology Marx: Base/Superstructure ( Architecture ) Durkheim: Organic solidarity ( Biology ) Weber: Iron Cage ( Imprisonment ) "Society is… … " (authenticity) "Consider society if… … ." (portrayal)

Reality and Representation

What Makes a Theory 'Decent'? 'Truth': it fits reality 'Pragmatics': it prompts to intriguing inquiries