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book: The Art of Social Theory
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The Art of Social Theory

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Language: English
Published/Copyright: 2014

About this book

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.

Author / Editor information

Richard Swedberg is professor of sociology at Cornell University. His books include Tocqueville's Political Economy, Principles of Economic Sociology, and Max Weber and the Idea of Economic Sociology (all Princeton).

Reviews

"[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."

Topics

  • Publicly Available

    Frontmatter

    i
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  • Publicly Available

    Contents

    vii
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    Introduction: Why Theorize and Can You Learn to Do It?

    1
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  • Part 1: How to Theorize
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    Chapter 1. Starting Anew

    13
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    Chapter 2. Social Observation

    29
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    Chapter 3. Naming, Concept, and Typology

    52
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    Chapter 4. Analogy, Metaphor, and Pattern

    80
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    Chapter 5. Coming Up with an Explanation

    98
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  • Part 2: Preparing for Theorizing
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    Chapter 6. Heuristics

    127
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    Chapter 7. Practical Exercises

    146
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    Chapter 8. The Role of Theory

    169
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    Chapter 9. Imagination and Art

    188
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    Chapter 10. Summary and More

    210
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    Appendix: How to Theorize according to Charles S. Peirce

    230
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    Acknowledgments

    249
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    Notes

    251
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    References

    253
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    Index

    279
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Publishing information
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
eBook published on:
July 28, 2015
eBook ISBN:
9781400850358
Edition:
Course Book
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
View content
https://doi.org/10.1515/9781400850358
eBook ISBN: 9781400850358
Keywords for this book
Social science; Explanation; Theory; Reason; Phenomenon; Concept; Sociology; Analogy; Hypothesis; Philosopher; Suggestion; Peirce; Cognitive science; Scientist; Thought; Writing; Metaphor; Social theory; Émile Durkheim; Observation; Cognitive psychology; Literature; Philosophy of science; Heuristic; Terminology; Charles Sanders Peirce; Principle; C. Wright Mills; Philosophy; Methodology; Science; The Sociological Imagination; Subconscious; Understanding; Inquiry; Robert K. Merton; Exploratory study; Experiment; Imagination; Consciousness; Guessing; Modernity; Trevor Pinch; Juan; Knudsen; Biernacki; Lecture; Paulsen; Stockholm University; Stephen Turner; Cornell University; Handbook; Iddo; Holmqvist; Reality; Emergence; McDuff; Isaac Reed (politician); Lot (department); Economy and Society; Daniel Kahneman; Social actions; Empirical research; Abductive reasoning; Original meaning; Science studies; Social fact; Concept learning; Result; Relevance
Audience(s) for this book
For an expert adult audience, including professional development and academic research
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