The developmental history of human social practices: From social analytics to explanatory narratives

Abstract

Purpose

The diversity of social forms both regionally and historically calls for a paradigmatic reassessment of concepts used to map human societies comparatively. By differentiating “social analytics” from “explanatory narratives,” we can distinguish concept and generic model development from causal analyses of actual empirical phenomena. In so doing, we show how five heuristic models of “modes of social practices” enable such paradigmatic formation in sociology. This reinforces Max Weber’s emphasis on the irreducible historicity of explanations in the social sciences.

Methodology

Explanatory narrative.

Findings

A paradigmatic consolidation of generalizing concepts, modes of social practices, ideal-type concepts, and generic models presents a range of “theoretical tools” capable of facilitating empirical analysis as flexibly as possible, rather than cramping their range with overly narrow conceptual strictures.

Research implications

To render social theory as flexible for practical field research as possible.

Originality/value

Develops a way of synthesizing diverse theoretical and methodological approaches in a highly pragmatic fashion.

Citation

Garcelon, M. (2014), "The developmental history of human social practices: From social analytics to explanatory narratives", Social Theories of History and Histories of Social Theory (Current Perspectives in Social Theory, Vol. 31), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 179-220. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0278-1204(2013)0000031005