Sociological Theories of Today.

Abstract

Secondly, this volume marks an evolution in Sorokin's own approach to sociological theory. His earlier work dealt with theory in terms of a school of thought, and for this purpose he used a scheme of classification which was sometimes arbitrary and often misleading. In this volume he employs a new scheme which places the theory in a context more descriptive of its real character. In another very important respect there is a significant difference between the two works. In 1928 Sorokin had not yet formulated his own theories, so that his treatment of theory was a straightforward piece of work, a model of logical exposition and criticism. In this work, while the same qualities are still in evidence in all their pristine vigour, Sorokin's criticisms are made from the point of view of his own highly developed formulations. So he enters the fray armed with weapons forged with his own hands and wielded with comparable aplomb and dexterity. This gives an added dimension to the work, making it infinitely more exciting and more controversial. Readers unfa-