Abstract

GONNET, Juan Pablo  and  TORRES, Esteban. Operations and structures of theoretical practice. An exploration based on the case of Niklas Luhmann's Theory of Social Systems. Rev. colomb. soc. [online]. 2019, vol.42, n.2, pp.301-321. ISSN 0120-159X.  https://doi.org/10.15446/rcs.v42n2.69766.

Today, theoretical construction appears to be a practice that is increasingly distanced from the work horizon of the social sciences in Latin America, and as a non-essential effort in the dynamics of social research. The article evinces certain difficulties faced by the social sciences when trying to give adequate responses to the problems posed by social reality in our region. In the best of cases, we have partial analyses on specific social phenomena, whose connection and interrelation with other processes is not elaborated on. In this problematic context, we consider it relevant to ask ourselves how social or sociological theory is constructed or developed.

Clearly, much has been said about this issue in epistemological and methodological reflections. However, these perspectives are fruitless when the problem we are facing does not have that much to do with the conditions for validation or legitimization of a theory, as with the more fundamental question of its conditions of possibility. We do not consider it adequate either to uphold a series of speculations regarding how we imagine a theory emerges or is created, something that is also frequent in the existing literature. In order to avoid this, we believe it is necessary to focus on theoretical practices themselves, that is, attend to the manner in which thinkers in our field have built their theoretical perspectives. For purposes of this article and with an exploratory purpose, we have taken as referent Niklas Luhmann's sociological theory, especially his book Social Systems. Our objective is to identify in the text the operations, strategies, and resources through which the author presents his theoretical discourse and makes it recognizable within the academic and scientific community. We hope that the recognition of these constructive operations stimulates theoretical elaboration in the social sciences, on the basis of an improved understanding of what theory is and theorizing takes place.

Descriptors: scientific culture, sociology of science, sociology of knowledge, sociology of research.

Keywords : theoretical construction; social structures; theoretical practice; sociology of sociology; theory of social systems; social theory.

        · abstract in Spanish | Portuguese     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )