The Syntax of Social Life: Theory and Method of Comparative Narratives - Hardcover

Abell, Peter

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0198272715 ISBN 13: 9780198272717

Publisher: Clarendon Press, 1987

Synopsis

This book offers an analysis of the structure of "narratives" - stories which account for the generation of sequences of actions, or patterns of interaction - as a contribution to formal model-building in social theory. The author proposes a formal framework which is designed not only to aid in the comparison of narratives which generate apparently similar events, but also to detect any generalizations inherent in their structure. In addition to putting forward the case for more precise descriptive tools, Professor Abell indicates the way in which some of these might be integrated with traditional variable-centred methodology. In attempting to place the competing methods in their proper relationship, Professor Abell confronts the Weberian problem of providing a methodology which yields adequate explanation at the levels of causality and meaning.

Edition details

• Publisher: Clarendon Press
• Publication date: 1987
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0198272715
• ISBN 13: 9780198272717
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 130