Social Protest,Social Theory and Social Critical Theory:Development of Three Theories of Society

As far as social issues and their discussions are concerned,two main transitions can be distinguished in social history of thoughts — from social protest in ancient society to social theory in modern society,and then to social critical theory.This happens to be a theoretical route for understanding changes in China's social structure.Firstly,sustained by morality as a philosophy of action and an intellectual structure,social protest is a classical way of social thinking,which differs in traditions and forms between China and western countries.Secondly,social theory is also a modern way of social thinking.There are three transitions turning from social protest to social theory:linear entry,complete switch and independent development and demarcation,which respectively lead to three types of modern social theories:social philosophy,general social theory and social science.Thirdly,the transition from modern social theory to social critical theory is indeed a transition from the declaration of liberty and democracy to their criticism by left-wing and right-wing radicals.It is the overlook or turning-upside-down of this developmental sequence that leads to different social theories in developed and developing countries.Last but not least,it has to be pointed out that social theory studies must not only follow the theory-construction logic,but also have a rational responsive commitment:caring for the real life.