Sociology 2270A/B Chapter Notes -Auguste Comte, Social Theory, Age Of Enlightenment
10 Feb 2013
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Reading theory: a general introduction ( xi- xiii) Continuity involves the revisiting and rethinking of theories and the theoretical questions. Confrontation means the growth of theories through disagreement and controversies among theorists. Theories are claims that patterns exists in the empirical world. Theorists invent concepts to help us see these patterns they believe exist. Theories are interpretations of reality; they are not research hypothesis that can be tested with empirical evidence. There are several metaphors, which have been used to talk about theories. The first metaphor claims theories are constructed or built and all connected to each other. A second metaphor is visual, theories are perspectives or points of view that focus on some aspect of social reality. Third metaphor to portray theory is as a flowing changing river with a main stream and more controversial countercurrents. (non- marxist would be the non- mainstream and the marxist would be mainstream)
