| Description |
1 online resource (211 pages) |
| Series |
Routledge Library Editions: Social Theory |
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Routledge library editions. Social theory.
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| Contents |
Cover; Half Title; Title Page; Copyright Page; Original Title Page; Original Copyright Page; Table of Contents; Figures; Explanatory introduction; 1 The general and analytical character of theory: Parsons's epistemological premise; 1 Introduction; 2 The concept of theory; 3 The general character of concept and theory; 4 The analytical character of concept and theory; 5 The theory of action, the theory of the social system and the theory of sociology; 2 The voluntaristic pretension: Parsons''s methodological premise; 1 Introduction: voluntarism as a methodological synthesis |
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2 The methodological dimension of objectivist versus subjectivist thought-patterns inhistorical perspective3 The methodological dimension of social-nominalistic versus social-realistic patterns of thought in historical perspective; 3 The structural-functional version of the action theory: the first attempt at conceptualization; 1 Introduction; 2 The frame of reference (1); 3 The frame of reference (2); 4 Analysis of action systems; structural-functionalism as 'second best mode of analysis' |
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5 The combination of the voluntaristic frame of reference with the structural-functional form of analysis in a structural-functional theory of action systems6 The structural-functional theory of social systems; 4 The instability of the structural-functional version of the action theory; 1 Introduction; 2 Inventorization of conceptual gaps in the structural-functional version; 3 The conceptual dilemma: the clash of premises; 4 The instability of the structural-functional version in the light of the conceptual dilemma |
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5 Reflections on the conceptual dilemma: the end of the structural-functional version 6 The formulation of the new frame of reference: the four-function paradigm; 5 The new voluntaristic action theory; 1 Introduction: the four-function paradigm and the levels of the action theory; 2 The new theory of social systems; 3 The social system''s symbolic media of interchange: money, power, influence and value-commitment; 4 Hierarchical relations between sub-systems and media; 5 The general theory of action; 6 Testing the theory against its premises; 1 Introduction; 2 The premises and the new theory |
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3 Average criticism and the conceptual dilemmaNotes; Bibliography; Index |
| Summary |
This systematic analysis of the nature and development of Talcott Parson's theory of action offers first an introduction to the conceptual paradigm upon which this theory is based - an introduction, that is, which will make Parson's writing more easily accessible. Second, the book gives an explanation of the development which the action theory has undergone during the half-century of Parson's career. Using a scheme of four theory-levels, the author indicates the crucial premises that can be distilled from Parson's early works. He argues that Parsons, from the very start of his career, was tryi |
| Notes |
Print version record |
| Subject |
Parsons, Talcott, 1902-1979
|
| SUBJECT |
Parsons, Talcott, 1902-1979. fast (OCoLC)fst01443279 |
| Subject |
Sociology.
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Sociology
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sociology.
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SOCIAL SCIENCE -- Anthropology -- General.
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SOCIAL SCIENCE -- Regional Studies.
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SOCIAL SCIENCE -- Sociology -- General.
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Sociology.
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| Form |
Electronic book
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| ISBN |
9781317650584 |
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1317650581 |
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