Art of Social Theory

"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 Theoryis 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 ofexisting 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"--

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"This is book about how to go about theorizing in the social sciences. It speaks to graduate students preparing for a dissertation and, perhaps more, to their mentors. It is a perfect textbook for a graduate seminar, and offers a stimulating challenge to any social scientist who is curious about how his or her own 'art of theorizing' compares with Swedberg's. I've been a theoretical social scientist for more than half a century, and I was captivated."--Thomas C. Schelling, winner of the Nobel Prize in economics

Product details

• Authors: Richard Swedberg, Swedberg Richard
• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 10.08.2014
• EAN: 9780691155227
• ISBN: 978-0-691-15522-7
• No. of pages: 288
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Psychology > Theoretical psychology; Social sciences, law, business > Sociology; 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