The New Social Theory Reader

=Introduction=

Foundationalism, the belief that the aim of theory is to establish a basic and indisputable set of general concepts and categories that will unify and direct social research.

Scientistic approach to social sciences, within a scientistic framework social theory aims to provide logical chains of propositions and models that can be empirically tested and elaborated into systems of knowledge.

Philosophical grounding of social sciences, to establish the most basic general ideas about society that can then guide social analysis.

Post-Foundationalism, continues to encourage abstract and general thinking while pursuing the analysis from a socially situated point of view. This implies a recognition that social interests and values shape ideas an and that social understandings are involved in shaping social life which leads to a scientific argumentation that remains reflective of its own practical social implications.

=References=