Coleman,James Social Theorist and Moral Philosopher

Abstract

The reception of James Coleman's monumental recent work Foundations of Social Theory has to date been narrowly technical in scope. This article seeks to redress this by offering a broader, philosophical reading of Coleman's work, one that brings out the full breadth of his intentions. It considers his account of the failings of contemporary political and moral philosophy and his own theory of rights, the self, and corporate structures in society. It goes on to discuss the limits of a comprehensive rational choice theory and the viability of Coleman's aspiration to found a positive social theory that can be at the heart of reflections on institutional reform and policy-making.