The conclusion to be drawn from the discussion of emotion, social theory, and social structure conducted in the foregoing chapters is obvious: namely that emotions are basic to social action and to an understanding of social structures and processes. It is unnecessary simply to summarize here what has gone before. But, in closing, it is appropriate to indicate something of the relevance of the perspective developed in this book for some associated themes. Additionally, the implications of these for future research can be stated.

The following remarks, however, are better described as forming an “Epilogue” rather than a “Conclusion.” This is because in concluding earlier discussion additional issues are touched upon. Four general matters are treated in what follows. Placing the last first, there is the question of a realignment of intellectual traditions, which comes from an emotions perspective in sociology. As any approach will draw on particular sources, so the orientation of a sociology which regards emotions to be fundamental will find its classic texts in a different part of the library than those belonging to other approaches. Relatedly, and this is the second to last thing that will be dealt with, cognate issues of different perspectives will themselves be different. The particular matter to be dealt with here is that of time or, more properly, temporality. Until quite recently, the general subject of time had drawn very little sociological interest.