Sociology as Social Science and Cameral Sociology: Some Further Thoughts: European Academy of Sociology, Third Annual Lecture, Paris, 25 October 2003

Abstract

Boudon has suggested that one can identify four ‘major and permanent’ ideal-types of sociology: expressive sociology, critical sociology, cameral sociology and – ‘the sociology that really matters’ – cognitive or scientific sociology. The relationships between scientific sociology, or sociology as social science (SSS), and the other three types are further examined. It is argued that while tension, or indeed conflict, must inevitably arise between SSS and expressive and critical sociology, there is little to prevent the relationship with cameral sociology being one of co-operation and complementarity. In light of this argument, two further issues raised by Boudon are considered: those of how sociological problems should be constituted and of how progress in sociology should be understood – and furthered. It is held that in regard to both these issues SSS will benefit from close ties with cameral sociology.