ABSTRACT

Each theoretical structure appears to maintain purity and logical coherence at the expense of empirical exposure. Apart from existentialism – which may be an exception – each obeys the dicta of modernity: build a citadel, develop firm foundations and construct a coherent framework upon this. Are they mutually exclusive or can they be integrated? Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990) maintain that integration is difficult, since theories construct world-views of their own; instead we must build a coherent theory on its own terms.