The Emergence of Various Theoretical Trends and Their Prospects in Sociology

Abstract

In their recent volume on the sociology of sociology Larry and Janice Reynolds (1970: v) noted that sociologists have not, except in rare instances, applied a sociological analysis to their own discipline. While this paper does not profess to apply a systematic sociological analyses to the discipline, it takes its direction from the comment by the Reynolds and will, accordingly, offer some views on the emergence of certain theoretical trends in sociology. Hence, will briefly identify and document various theoretical trends and prospects which appear increasingly imminent on the horizon of sociology. As will rapidly become apparent, am about more than iden tifying and documenting trends; am explicitly encouraging their in stitutionalization into American sociology. Thus, in this paper, to paraphrase a quip once made by C. Wright Mills: I will try to be ob jective. do not claim to be detached. While it is not my purpose to trace the historical development of these trends, it is worthwhile noting that all of them at some point were of central concern to the early history of sociology?either in classical European thought or in the body of theory which was promulgated at the University of Chicago early in this century. Indeed, if the ensuing prognosis is on target, it would be interesting to ascertain why con temporary sociology is just now rediscovering its roots and attempting to make a place for the very ideas which give it its birth.