In the social sciences today, students are taught theory by reading and analyzing the works of Karl Marx, Max Weber, and other foundational figures of the discipline. What they rarely learn, however, is how to actually theorize. This is a practical guide to doing just that, written by a well-known sociologist.

Introduction: Why Theorize and Can You Learn to Do It? 1 Part 1: How to Theorize Chapter 1. Starting Anew 13 Chapter 2. Social Observation 29 Chapter 3. Naming, Concept, and Typology 52 Chapter 4. Analogy, Metaphor, and Pattern 80 Chapter 5. Coming Up with an Explanation 98 Part 2: Preparing for Theorizing Chapter 6. Heuristics 127 Chapter 7. Practical Exercises 146 Chapter 8. The Role of Theory 169 Chapter 9. Imagination and Art 188 Chapter 10. Summary and More 210 Appendix: How to Theorize according to Charles S. Peirce 230 Acknowledgments 249 Notes 251 References 253 Index 279

"Who expected new ideas about 'the art of social theory,' or even knew that it was an 'art'? Vintage Swedberg: wry and erudite yet engaging and accessible, drawing on philosophy, epistemology, and cognitive science to argue that though theorizing requires creativity and imagination, it can be effectively taught. Read this."—Mark Granovetter, Stanford University

"This is a book about how to go about theorizing in the social sciences. It speaks to graduate students preparing for a dissertation and, perhaps more, to their mentors. It is a perfect textbook for a graduate seminar, and offers a stimulating challenge to any social scientist who is curious about how his or her own 'art of theorizing' compares with Swedberg's. I've been a theoretical social scientist for more than half a century, and I was captivated."—Thomas C. Schelling, winner of the Nobel Prize in economics

"Swedberg's book is a marvelous introduction to the craft of theorizing. This is no abstract primer. It describes how people actually go about theorizing and linking their theories to methods. By recognizing that we all theorize all of the time, Swedberg demystifies the process, making it accessible and exciting. The Art of Social Theory is erudite and rich with historical allusion. It is a pleasure to read."—Frank Dobbin, author of Inventing Equal Opportunity

"A unique meditation on the meaning and purpose of theory and theorizing. By opening up to students how theorizing is an intellectual craft, Swedberg brings the subject alive in a direct and real way. The Art of Social Theory will change how we teach theory and theorizing in sociology."—Isaac Ariail Reed, author of Interpretation and Social Knowledge: On the Use of Theory in the Human Sciences