"To invite authors of two broadly contrasting sociological camps to engage in the discussion helps to highlight a wide variety of issues in such a clear manner as to be of great value to students, not to mention a wider readership. For it not only enables the reader to understand the broadly accepted dual demarcation of interpretative and positive, but also to illuminate the more subtle differences that exist within each camp." Michael Keaney, University of Glasgow "There is no more thorough an editor in sociology than Alan Sica for the simple reason that there are so few who are as broadly literate as he and who, at the same time, know and understand good books and good writing. The list of authors include the most astute sociologists who happen to know philosophy." Charles Lemert, Wesleyan University "This volume would make useful reading for those interested in the philosophical underpinnings of social theory and where its continued inter-connection may take it in the future as well as, arguably, essential reading for those within the discipline who look more towards the natural sciences than the humanities for their influence." John Walliss, BSA