Social theories are frameworks of empirical evidence used to study and interpret social phenomena. A tool used by
social scientists, social theories relate to historical debates over the most valid and reliable methodologies (e.g.
positivism and
antipositivism), as well as the primacy of either
structure or agency. Certain social theories attempt to remain strictly scientific, descriptive, and objective. Conflict theories, by contrast, present ostensibly normative positions, and often critique the ideological aspects inherent in conventional, traditional thought.
Тhe origins of social theory are difficult to pinpoint, but debates frequently return to
Ancient Greece. From these foundations in
Western philosophy arose
Enlightenment social contract theory,
sociological positivism, and modern
social science. Today, 'social science' is used as an umbrella term to refer to
sociology,
economics,
political science,
jurisprudence, and other disciplines. Social theory is interdisciplinary and draws upon ideas from fields as diverse as
anthropology and
media studies. Social theory of an informal nature, or authorship based outside of academic social and political science, may be referred to instead as "
social criticism" or "
social commentary". Similarly, "cultural criticism" may be associated both with formal
cultural and
literary scholarship, as well as other non-academic or journalistic forms of writing.
Social theory as a distinct discipline emerged in the 20th century and was largely equated with an attitude of critical thinking, based on rationality, logic and objectivity, and the desire for knowledge through
a posteriori methods of discovery, rather than
a priori methods of tradition. With this in mind it is easy to link social theory to deeper seated philosophical discussions to assure the responsibility in every human also.