AN APOSTLES SCREED

This article begins with some brief observations about the current sta te of sociology and the field of criminology with which it has close t ies. These remarks center on a central complaint, to wit, that much of what passes for theory in sociology and criminology is fuzzy and impr ecise. The article then turns to a more basic issue, namely the endemi c problem of flawed writing in criminology. Bad writing in criminology and criminal justice is attributable to ineptitude, sloth, and hubris . Finally, because this is an institutional rather than an individual problem, organized efforts will be required in order to ameliorate it.