Social Theory: Retrospect and Prospect

A review of the position of sociol in 1957, 50 yrs after it was first recognized & taught formally in GB. It is argued that the most valuable contributions to sociol'al theory are found not in the great systems, but rather in the detail, & that sociol'ts are unaware of large bodies...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The British journal of sociology 1957-06, Vol.8 (2), p.97-105
Main Author: MacRae, Donald G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cultural anthropology
Educational administration
Great Britain
Physical theory
Physics
Respect
Social research
Social structures
Social theories
Sociological Theory
Sociology
Sociology Education
The British Sociological Association Conference, 1957
Theory Practice Relationship
Universities
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Summary:A review of the position of sociol in 1957, 50 yrs after it was first recognized & taught formally in GB. It is argued that the most valuable contributions to sociol'al theory are found not in the great systems, but rather in the detail, & that sociol'ts are unaware of large bodies of useful theory (the work of Morris Ginsberg & T. H. Marshall). There has been a steady convergence & complementary development of sociol'al theorizing from Comte on. It is suggested the past & future purposes of sociol'al theory are: (1) to make better descriptions of concrete soc phenomena; (2) to make possible a more just judgment of soc needs, soc values & soc policy, & (3) to make human beings more aware of their soc situation, more critically self-conscious, & thus more fully human. B. M. Thomas.
ISSN:0007-1315
1468-4446
DOI:10.2307/587362