The Role-Set: Problems in Sociological Theory

1957/06/01 by Robert K. Merton, Robert Κ. Merton · 929 citations
Social Sciences · #Computer science #Contemporary Sociological Theory and Practice #Epistemology #Philosophy #Set (abstract data type) #Social science #Sociological theory #Sociology

paper · doi:10.2307/587363

published in British Journal of Sociology 8(2), 106 (Wiley)

openalex publication_date 1957/06/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30

Abstract

r N THE FIRST VOLUME of tlle first American journal devoted entirely to the subject of sociology, the role proper to the sociologist zwas described in these forthright terms: 'Social theorists need be meek men, and should stand with head uncovered before the special gifts and sernces of the men of genius who are working the latter-day miracles of industry and commerce.'l This was announced in I895. A few years later, ltmile Durkheim, who by all accounts ssas not apt to take up this diffident and admiring position before anyone, least of all businessmen, was reminding his readers that sociology was 'born only yesterday', indeed, that 'in the fifteen years before I900, it was possible to mention only ten names which were truly and properly the names of

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