Inner-directed actions are defined as actions which a person directs toward himself or herself in order to bring about inner states, or to motivate him- or herself to perform actions in the outer world. It is argued that inner-directed actions fulfill the criteria used in sociology to define actions that are traditionally the starting point in the development of sociological concepts. The role played by this kind of action in understanding “inner” phenomena is discussed with respect to two examples, emotions and the unity of the person. This conception aims at developing a nonpsychological approach to the analysis of inner states and processes and should prove that Simmel's program, the application of sociology to “inner phenomena” (he called “inner sociology”) is possible if the concept of action is taken as basis. Reference to inner-directed actions concerns also issues of general relevance to the theory of action in sociology, such as the relationship between “spontaneous” reactions and actions, the role of motives in explaining actions, and the linkage of actions with each other.
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