A misplaced realism in sociology stems from misunderstanding the objects it studies.

Evidence

This whole consideration, however, might be due, simply, to an imperfect grasp of the matter at issue. It might merely be a (perhaps) necessary preliminary that would, potentially or ac- tually, be overcome by a more intimate knowledge of the individuals as the ultimately concrete elements. — Georg Simmel, The Sociology of Georg Simmel, 1275