The Strong Program in cultural sociology by J. Alexander and his colleagues since the mid-1980s is considered а major carrier of the cultural turn in sociology. Supporters and critics of the Strong Program tend to focus on its central thesis of “cultural autonomy” and on the challenge it poses to traditional, institutionally oriented social science. On the contrary, the article focuses on the “scientific” intensions of the Strong Program and the resulting ambiguities, limitations and contradictions for cultural-sociological theorizing.