Merton, la riflessività e la scienza sociale impossibile

This paper stresses the relevance accorded in Robert K. Merton's sociology to self-referential circular processes, a thematic attention that gives his sociological analyses and theoretical constructs a peculiar ironic and paradoxical tone. The characters of this thematic attention for self-referential schemes are shown by analyzing the self-exemplifying nature of two essays, "On the Shoulders of Giants" and "Travels and Adventures of Serendipity" that are commonly considered as standing aside Merton's production for their humoristic style. This article also points out the genesis of this self-referential theme in early Merton's works of the '30s, showing its close connection with the problem of the unintended consequences of intentional action, that Merton considers essential for the very existence of sociology as an independent scientific discipline.