Über die Grundlagen der Handlungstheorie: Vier Imperative

The major theme of this paper is that there are four important modes by which general theoretical sociology can be advanced. These modes are set forth as four imperatives for effective theorizing that combine process philosophy with a methodology of formal theorizing. The four imperatives are: Think process! Think structure! Think integration! Think idealization! These imperatives are elucidated in general terms and also with particular reference to the action theory program of Talcott Parsons in the context of foundational issues in contemporary sociological theory.