‘New'' Directions in Social Science Research

The book deals with a number of theoretical and methodological issues. Its main intention is to move sociology forward by illustrating creativity in thinking and research. Theoretically speaking it recognizes the works of the classical sociologists such as Durkheim and Weber who were almost diametrically opposed to each other in philosophy and thought concerning the human nature. Instead of perceiving their theories as mutually exclusive, this book views them as mutually inclusive and complementary. This is the case because their works produce a more comprehensive understanding of human nature by pointing out that society comprises social structures and social interaction. Structures and actions occur simultaneously and in mutual symbiosm. By this it is evident that actions create structures, and structures in turn influence (shape, modify and legitimize) human action.