‘Foundations of Social Theory’ oder ‘Foundations of Sociology’?

Abstract: The comment deals with the relevance of Coleman’s Foundations of Social Theory for so called ‘sociological theory’. On the one hand Coleman’s work is an extraordinary contribution to the solution of some of the most important ‘classical’ questions of sociology. On the other hand it is to be expected that the enormous potential of the book probably has only limited effects within the wider sociological profession. One reason for that estimation is the unfamiliarity of many sociologists with Coleman’s instruments of aggregation of collective effects. The other - more important - reason is that Coleman almost completely leaves out any discussion of the importance of ‘symbolic’ and ‘cultural’ processes. Insofar the book is indeed a ‘Foundation of Social Theory’ but not a foundation of ‘sociology’ in its past and present understanding.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: ‘Foundations of Social Theory’ oder ‘Foundations of Sociology’? ; volume:14 ; number:2 ; year:1992 ; pages:129-142 ; extent:14 ; Analyse & Kritik ; 14, Heft 2 (1992), 129-142 (gesamt 14)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Esser, Hartmut

Further information

• DOI: 10.1515/auk-1992-0202
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2404171553281.779345007028
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 14.08.2025, 10:50 AM CEST