The Concepts of Holism and Reductionism in Sociological Theory

The present study is an attempt to clarify some aspects of the controversy between holism and reductionism in sociological theory. What are the theoretical and non-theoretical motives behind classical holistic and reductionistic approaches to sociological theory? Are they chiefly ontological, epistemological, normative or of a more practical nature? An analytical framework making, it possible to draw distinctions of these types is set up. The framework is then used to investigate three classical sociological theories, those of Durkheim, Spencer and Homans, exemplifying three distinct approaches to the holist-reductionist controversy. It is hoped that through the analytical framework developed a clearer understanding of the controversy in classical theory can be gained, and that this in turn will facilitate an understanding if the same issue in contemporary sociology.