Art of Social Theory

A practical guide to the art of theorizing in the social sciences

In the social sciences today, students are taught theory by reading and analyzing the works of Karl Marx, Max Weber, and other foundational figures of the discipline. What they rarely learn, however, is how to actually theorize. The Art of Social Theory is a practical guide to doing just that.

In this one-of-a-kind user's manual for social theorists, Richard Swedberg explains how theorizing occurs in what he calls the context of discovery, a process in which the researcher gathers preliminary data and thinks creatively about it using tools such as metaphor, analogy, and typology. He guides readers through each step of the theorist's art, from observation and naming to concept formation and explanation. To theorize well, you also need a sound knowledge of existing social theory. Swedberg introduces readers to the most important theories and concepts, and discusses how to go about mastering them. If you can think, you can also learn to theorize. This book shows you how.

Concise and accessible, The Art of Social Theory features helpful examples throughout, and also provides practical exercises that enable readers to learn through doing.

Über den Autor / die Autorin

Richard Swedberg

Zusammenfassung

In the social sciences today, students are taught theory by reading and analyzing the works of Karl Marx, Max Weber, and other foundational figures of the discipline. What they rarely learn, however, is how to actually theorize. The Art of Social Theory is a practical guide to doing just that. In this one-of-a-kind user's manual for social theoris

Zusatztext

"[C]oncise and readable. . . . Writing in accessible language and using the canon of social theorists to illustrate points, Swedberg meets a need for practitioners and students alike."

Produktdetails

• Autoren: Richard Swedberg, Swedberg Richard
• Verlag: Princeton University Press
• Sprache: Englisch
• Produktform: Taschenbuch
• Erschienen: 30.09.2015
• EAN: 9780691168135
• ISBN: 978-0-691-16813-5
• Seiten: 288
• Themen: Geisteswissenschaften, Kunst, Musik > Psychologie > Theoretische Psychologie; Sozialwissenschaften, Recht,Wirtschaft > Soziologie > Soziologische Theorien; Social Theory, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Research, PSYCHOLOGY / Movements / General, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Statistics, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Sociology / Social Theory, Psychological theory, systems, schools and viewpoints, Psychological theory & schools of thought, Social research & statistics, Social research and statistics