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Samenvatting

In the social sciences, there is discussion of theoretical stagnation. Some impute this to a pluralism in ways of explanation: they make a plea for theory-monism. Others say it is owing to the form of statements in the social sciences: there are mainly theoretical orientations & few theories. They make a plea for the transformation of these theoretical orientations into theories by means of formalization. Here, a case is made for an important intermediate step: the mapping of theoretical orientations. T. S. Kuhn's analysis (The Structure of Scientific Revolutins, The International Encyclopedia of Unified Science, Chicago: U of Chicago Press, 1962) is criticized. The inevitability & the fruitfulness of pluralism are pointed out, with arguments derived from the SofK & methodology: the influence of lay-images, the institutional context, the complementarity & contrariety of theories, & the indirect testing of theories. Five related function sof mapping are summarized through a systems analysis: uncovering & interrelating the different kinds of cognitive elements -- presuppositions, assertions, concepts, criteria, norms, methods of analysis, etc -- which play a part in theoretical orientations. These are: (1) to restrict communication disorders, (2) to determine the extent to whic h theoretical orientations meet methodological criteria such as internal consistency, empirical testability, scope, & precision, (3) to create possibilities to compare theoretical orientations, (4) to facilitate an efficient & valid formalization later on, & (5) to propagate orientations that have, on epistemological & methodological grounds, the highest potential for theoretical development. Attention is drawn to the problematic nature of transforming theoretical orientations into theories in the social sciences. Advanced arguments are the complexity of the object of study & the limited possibilities to experiment. Modified AA.