ABSTRACT
This chapter does not promote a frenzy of formal theorizing in sociology. Instead, the argument is that sociology will forever remain at best a grossly incomplete, backwater science unless a substantial number of its practitioners commence gathering data, crafting generalizations, and stating theories in accordance with some formal mode. Indifference to conceptual problems, especially empirical applicability, is virtually a sociological skill. But even ignoring empirical applicability, an intelligible definition of class conflict presumes no less intelligible definitions of conflict and class. Most sociologists probably reject the belief that a class is somehow divorced from the characteristics of its members-the superorganic conception. Yet rejection of that conception implies the need for a method to identify class membership. Recognition of the fundamental problem could be the reason for insistence of some sociologists that the existence of a class has nothing to do with the identification of its members.
