理论广泛存在于社会科学研究的各个领域,不同的理论家还时常会就如何发展理论形成争议,其往往涉及理论抽象性与现实性的权衡问题。理论应该有包括输入变量、控制变量、基础性逻辑机制、输出变量以及“环境或外部约束条件”在内的五个基本要素。尽管对于理论构成要素及其现实性的理解有所不同,但弗里德曼所强调的“预测检验法”与科斯所倡导的“要素现实性考察”其实是互相补充而非对立矛盾的关系,它们应该有机地纳入理论建构及发展活动之中。在建模越来越容易的当今时代,基础性逻辑机制展现出现实化的趋势,理论“抽象性与现实性的权衡”问题越发需要在“五个要素”的基础上加以认真对待、系统反思。把握好“五个要素”的理论观,将有助于研究者更好地进行理论的整合与创新,加深对人类话语体系及其社会实践的理解。 Theory widely exists in all fields of social science research. Different theorists often form controversies about how to develop theories, which often involve the trade-off between theoretical abstraction and reality. The theory should have five basic elements, including input variables, control variables, underlying logical mechanisms, output variables, and “environmental or external constraints.” Although there is a difference in the understanding of the elements of the theory and its reality, Friedman’s emphasis on “predictive test” is in fact a complement to Coase’s “realistic study of factors” Contradictory relations, they should be organically integrated into the theoretical construction and development activities. In the modern era where modeling is becoming more and more easy, the basic logical mechanism shows a trend of actualization. The issue of “trade-off between abstractness and reality” needs more serious consideration on the basis of “five elements” Treat, systematic reflection. Grasping the theory of “five elements” will help researchers to better integrate and innovate their theories and deepen their understanding of the human discourse system and its social practice.