Dissecting the Social

Peter Hedstrom builds on his earlier work in contemporary debates about social theory. His argument is that sociological theory should be developed systematically, in a way that gives it real explanatory strength and exactness, so that it can guide research and deepen understanding of social life. He contrasts that aim with much of the grand social theorising that is currently popular.

The book takes up the principles of analytical sociology, which it presents as a route to theory with real explanatory power. It will suit readers of social theory and sociological method who want to see how sociologists explain social outcomes, rather than simply describing them.

Edition note: published by Cambridge University Press in 2005, 188 pages. ISBN-13 9780521792295.