Metatheory as Cognitive Style

In: Sociological perspectives, Band 34, Heft 3, S. 287-301

Abstract

The current debates on metatheory in sociology do not account for the fact that metatheorizing, as a distinct intellectual activity, is unequally distributed throughout the sciences. As a reflexive and critical subspecialty, metatheory and metasociology are more likely to routinely accompany work in loosely coupled and highly controversial disciplines. The theory of scientific organizations explains the propensity for metatheorizing as the outcome of weak and conversational fields that rely mostly on texts to support their discourse.