Abstract:
This article examines critically the three major sociological theories namely,
Structural Functionalism, Symbolic Interactionism and Conflict theory. These
theories are formulated on the pattern of science where scientific method is
strictly adhered to. Considering the nature and the essence of the social
phenomenon and its component parts the author argues that the application
ofpure scientific method in the study or analysis of the social phenomenon fail
to present an accurate understanding of the social phenomenon. Thus, an
alternative method which is capable of taking into consideration both physical
and metaphysical aspects of the social phenomenon is required. Toward this
end this article attempts to delineate the three major theories of sociology,
their shortcoming and loophole, then attempt to highlight the constituent
elements of the social phenomenon and their significance in formulation of
comprehensive sociological theories. An Islamic perspective on sociological
theories is also provided in the last part of this article where the discrepancy of
the sociological theories are disclosed and a proposal for a more dynamic
method for the formulation of sociological theories ofcomprehensive nature
is made.
