Vitalizing Sociological Theory

In advocating suitably vitalized sociological theory as a remedy for the perennial ailments of sociology, those of us committed to the theoretical enterprise run the risk of being likened to the Tennessee mountain physician.

Abstract

IN advocating suitably vitalized sociological theory as a remedy for the perennial ailments of sociology, those of us committed to the theoretical enterprise run the risk of being likened to the Tennessee mountain physician. This representative of long-since-outmoded medical notions, while making his saddlebag rounds, encountered a patient who was goin' into a decline with a rackin' cough. After some head-scratching, our physician decided that he was confronted by a case of hasty consumption. Thinking that such ills really had no remedy, and that the victim's days were numbered, he nevertheless decided to recommend that something be done, if only to set the poor feller easy in his mind. Accordingly, he held forth thus: Dunno as I kin do much fer that wastin' wheezin' o' yours; 'pears to me like you got a case o' gallopin' TB. But tell you what I kin do: I got some pills here that'll throw you into fits, an' I'm hell on fits! After all, however, sociology is in fair-tomiddling health, and no such counsels of despair need be offered. Sociological theo-