Thinking Through Theory

by John Levi Martin

Overview

Teach students how to think about sociological theory.

Written with students in mind, Thinking Through Theory explores the role of theory in sociology with a focus on good thinking: how to keep from thinking in circles, how to know when we are contradicting ourselves, and how to avoid thinking tautologies are meaningful.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780393937688
Publisher:	Norton, W. W. & Company, Inc.
Publication date:	11/03/2014
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

John Levi Martin is Professor of Sociology at the University of Chicago. He is the author of The Explanation of Social Action and Social Structures.

Table of Contents

Preface vii

Chapter 1 On theory in sociology 1

What Is theory in Sociology? 1

Looking outward 15

Problems and Solutions 20

Awkward joins 31

Beyond Straightening 40

Chapter 2 Things and facts: who causes what constraints? 45

Culture as Constraint 45

Defining Constraint 52

Defining Causation 56

Causation and Comparison 62

Comparison, Processes, and Causes 65

Chapter 3 The Return of Realism 77

A Basket of Isms 77

Realism versus Social construction 86

Getting real in sociology 94

Concepts and reality 98

Supporting Claims 105

Talk and Scientific Inquiry* 110

Talking about Truth* 116

Conclusion 128

Chapter 4 Rationality and other lunacies 131

The Debate over rational choice theory 131

What is rationality? 136

Producing Paradox 138

From Irrational to Rational Uses of Rational Choice Theory 149

Conclusion 172

Chapter 5 What does the sociology of animals teach us? 175

Fear of animals 175

Where is Complexity and Intelligence? 182

Roles 191

Morality (Rules) 199

Having a World 206

Conclusion 215

Chapter 6 "The Gentleman is to let the lady enter the door first": or how the environment tells us what to do 217

Motives and tendencies 217

Who follows rules and when? 225

I can only open the door 231

Conclusion 243

Conclusion 245

On Luck 245

Bonus: The Newest Rules of Sociology 247

From Here on 254

References 255

Index 271