Introduction: Why We Need an Analytical Sociological Theory

Abstract

Sociology has long lived in a stigmatized and pre-paradigmatic state that is highly coun- terproductive for its status as a scientific discipline. Analytical Sociological Theory (AST) constitutes an attempt to change that situation by clarifying sociological concepts and practices, as well as optimizing and systematizing good explanatory work in social sciences. This essay presents some basic epistemic and methodological principles of AST and dis- cusses their implications for traditional or «pre-analytical» ways of understanding social science. Its main aim is to serve as an introduction to the articles on AST that are com- piled in this issue of Papers.