Abstract Coleman’s diagram is a visualization of rigorous sociology in line with methodological individualism. In this contribution, I argue for conceiving of the nodes and arrows of the diagram as representing key kinds of assumptions and implications of theory and explanation in sociology. Examples highlighting this perspective on the diagram, as well as various consequences, are discussed. A recurrent theme is that the diagram needs to be distinguished from theory and explanation as such.
Werner Raub (Fri,) studied this question.