Theory Construction in Sociology

Abstract

There is an urgent need for sociological inspiration and intellect to construct original sociological theories. However, even more pressing is the need for scientific “formulae” or norms to be followed. The author pointed out in an earlier study that there are three types of theories in sociology: general theory, historical theory, and normative theory. The present paper claims the necessity of the following aspects that are common to the abovementioned types of sociological theories: truth, justice, beauty, coherence, pragmatic norms, and explication. It examines a “T-shaped strategy of research” suggested by Funabashi, in determining the problems of “middle range theories” (MRT). The following three fallacies appear to be involved in the Mertonian concept of MRT: the fallacies of misplaced “consolidation” of theory and research, misplaced abstraction, and misplaced object system of a study. It is concluded that these aspects should be accompanied by an additional two features: the spirit of unification of the previous theoretical frameworks and the spirit of the interpenetration of the three types of theories.