本文综观当代社会学理论,首先是描绘这一领域中的理论的特征,就有关理论问题的各个方面论述了理论的历史与系统理论之间的关系,理论的正规化层次,社会学理论的功用和价值,以及理论的科学积累问题。然后为社会学理论勾勒了一幅总的“地图”。其中主要的区分划在宏观社会学和微观社会学的理论之间,并把下一层次的类型分别加以描述并互相联结起来。在建构这一“地图”的过程中,本文并列举了当代理论中一些主要的争论,例如在整合与冲突之间、实证主义与现象主义之间,以及宏观和微观之间。文章结尾处举出了好几个关键性的问题;一项理论若要得到妥善的理解和评论,那些问题都是必须问的。 This article reviews contemporary sociological theories, first of all depicting the characteristics of the theory in this field, discussing the relationship between the history of the theory and the theory of the system, the formalization of the theory, the function of the sociological theory in all aspects of theoretical issues And value, as well as the theoretical accumulation of science. Then a general “map” of sociological theory is sketched out. The major distinctions are drawn between the macroscopical and microcosmic sociological theories and the types of the next hierarchy are described and inter-linked. In constructing this “map,” this article lists some of the major debates in contemporary theory, such as between integration and conflict, between positivism and phenomenology, and between macro and micro. At the end of the article, several key issues are listed. If a theory is properly understood and commented, those questions must be asked.