What Is It, How Is It Done, and What Is Theory for? Contributions from Sociology and Its Margins

Abstract

This paper seeks to answer three questions: What is theory? How is theory done? Why do we theorize? We will search for possible and heterogeneous answers in certain sociological reflections, some classic, such as Parsons' systematic theory, Alexander's theoretical logic, Ritzer's metatheory, and some contemporary, such as Somers' sociological history of concept formation, Pels' political geography of knowledge, Schluchter's history of sociological theory with a systematic purpose, and Swedberg's theorization. Furthermore, we will search for other possible and variable answers in certain extra-sociological and interdisciplinary reflections, such as Skinner's intellectual history, Koselleck's conceptual history, Blumenberg's metaphorology, and Castel's problematization. In this way, we will be able to conclude that theory can be defined in terms of concepts, ideas, networks, cultural matrixes, schools, and problems; that these are theorized through definitions and explanations, typologies and classifications, metaphors and analogies; and, finally, that we theorize in order to understand, explain, and even intervene in the socio-historical world.