Every science has its great discoveries - sociology is no exception. This volume compiles, for the first time, the theoretical models of sociological thought that can be considered groundbreaking and have proven effective in the study of society. The explanations of the social range from the Thomas theorem to the self-fulfilling prophecy, from the king mechanism and the Tocqueville paradox to the prisoner's dilemma. With their combination of famous original texts and supplementary comments, the editors provide an exemplary introduction to the mindset of sociology, which trains the sociological perspective. The highlights of sociology demonstrate which social mechanisms determine societal life, what characterizes sociological analysis, and how it differs from other disciplines.