Talcott Parsons and the Social Image of Man (RLE Social Theory)

Talcott Parsons and the Social Image of Man (RLE Social Theory) PDF

Author: Ken Menzies

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2014-08-21

Total Pages: 208

ISBN-13: 1317650557

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This account of Talcott Parsons’s work clarifies his basic concepts and sets out their correlation. Dr Menzies believes that the philosophy of science working within the confines of the analytic-synthetic distinction tends to provide a rigid, static and sterile account of theories. He presents a more dynamic account of the scientific enterprise in order to come to grips with the amorphous nature of theory, and to provide the basic framework for his analysis of Parsons. Menzies argues that Parsons’s central problematic in The Structure of Social Action is utilitarianism in general and the classical economists’ account of the rise of capitalism in particular, and as such the book is not a reconciliation of positivistic and idealistic elements and these run throughout his subsequent work. Two major strands in Parsons’s work – the social action theory and the systems theory (structural-functionalism) – are separated and examined individually.

Talcott Parsons and the Social Image of Man (RLE Social Theory)

Talcott Parsons and the Social Image of Man (RLE Social Theory) PDF

Author: Ken Menzies

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2014-08-21

Total Pages: 202

ISBN-13: 1317650549

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This account of Talcott Parsons’s work clarifies his basic concepts and sets out their correlation. Dr Menzies believes that the philosophy of science working within the confines of the analytic-synthetic distinction tends to provide a rigid, static and sterile account of theories. He presents a more dynamic account of the scientific enterprise in order to come to grips with the amorphous nature of theory, and to provide the basic framework for his analysis of Parsons. Menzies argues that Parsons’s central problematic in The Structure of Social Action is utilitarianism in general and the classical economists’ account of the rise of capitalism in particular, and as such the book is not a reconciliation of positivistic and idealistic elements and these run throughout his subsequent work. Two major strands in Parsons’s work – the social action theory and the systems theory (structural-functionalism) – are separated and examined individually.

Talcott Parsons on Economy and Society (RLE Social Theory)

Talcott Parsons on Economy and Society (RLE Social Theory) PDF

Author: Bryan S. Turner

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2014-08-27

Total Pages: 286

ISBN-13: 1317652266

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'In this remarkable collection of essays, Holton and Turner demonstrate that Parsonian sociology addresses the most central problems of our time – issues of sickness and health, power and inequality, the nature of capitalism and its possible alternatives. They develop a mature and original perspective on Parsons as the only classical theorist who avoided crippling nostalgia. Holton and Turner not only talk about Parsonian sociology in a profound and insightful way, they do it, and do it well. As sociology moves away from the rigid dichotomies of earlier debate, this book will help point the way.' – Jeffrey Alexander, Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in Sociology, UCLA

Key Thinkers, Past and Present (RLE Social Theory)

Key Thinkers, Past and Present (RLE Social Theory) PDF

Author: Jessica Kuper

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2014-09-04

Total Pages: 287

ISBN-13: 1317651669

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This volume provides a fascinating perspective on the social sciences through its examination of the leading proponents, their ideas and careers. It includes useful suggestions for further reading. All the great names in the history of the subject are here – Freud, Marx, Weber, Adam Smith and so on – along with many less prominent but nevertheless important thinkers.

Sociological Theory in Use (RLE Social Theory)

Sociological Theory in Use (RLE Social Theory) PDF

Author: Kenneth Menzies

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2014-08-21

Total Pages: 265

ISBN-13: 1317657195

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Central to most sociologists’ self-image is the claim that their theories are based on research. However, using a random sample of 680 articles appearing in major American, British and Canadian journals, Dr Menzies shows that in some areas of sociology the wide gap between theory and research means that much of sociological theory is virtually untested. He explains how theory is embodied in eight particular types of research, critically examines these research theories, and contrasts them with the positions of modern theorists. The sample of journal articles also permits a comparison of British, American and Canadian sociology. By contrasting on how researchers us theories, Dr Menzies is able to reassess several theories. For instance, symbolic interactionist research uses embedded causal claims and stands in a dialectical relationship to other sociological research, while the research version of conflict theory depends on external causes to explain social change. The implications of using statistical techniques like factor analysis and regression are also considered in relation to the form of explanation.

Talcott Parsons on Economy and Society (RLE Social Theory)

Talcott Parsons on Economy and Society (RLE Social Theory) PDF

Author: Bryan S. Turner

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2014-08-27

Total Pages: 136

ISBN-13: 1317652258

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'In this remarkable collection of essays, Holton and Turner demonstrate that Parsonian sociology addresses the most central problems of our time – issues of sickness and health, power and inequality, the nature of capitalism and its possible alternatives. They develop a mature and original perspective on Parsons as the only classical theorist who avoided crippling nostalgia. Holton and Turner not only talk about Parsonian sociology in a profound and insightful way, they do it, and do it well. As sociology moves away from the rigid dichotomies of earlier debate, this book will help point the way.' – Jeffrey Alexander, Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in Sociology, UCLA

Talcott Parsons and the Conceptual Dilemma (RLE Social Theory)

Talcott Parsons and the Conceptual Dilemma (RLE Social Theory) PDF

Author: Hans P.M. Adriaansens

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2014-08-21

Total Pages: 211

ISBN-13: 1317650581

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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 trying to translate abstract premises into a systematically constructed conceptual scheme. The first conceptual translation, however, turned out to be vague and inconsistent in many respects, and this study offers a very specific explanation of the inadequacy of this first (structural-functional) version of the theory of action. Dr Adriaansens argues that it was not until Parsons had found his way out of this ‘conceptual dilemma’ that the premises of the action theory could be adequately translated into a conceptual paradigm.

The Social Thought of Talcott Parsons

The Social Thought of Talcott Parsons PDF

Author: Uta Gerhardt

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2016-02-17

Total Pages: 457

ISBN-13: 1317015525

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The Social Thought of Talcott Parsons offers an insightful new reading of the work of Talcott Parsons, keeping in view at once the important influences of Max Weber on his sociology and the central place occupied by methodology - which enables us to better understand the relationship between American and European social theory. Revealing American democracy and its nemesis, National Socialism in Germany as the basis of his theory of society, this book explores the debates in which Parsons was engaged throughout his life, with the Frankfurt School, C. Wright Mills and the young radicals among the "disobedient" student generation, as well as economism and utilitarianism in social theory; the opponents that Parsons confronted in the interests of humanism. In addition to revisiting Parsons' extensive oeuvre, Uta Gerhardt takes up themes in current research and theory - including social inequality, civic culture, and globalization - offering a fascinating demonstration of what the conceptual approaches of Parsons can accomplish today. Revealing methodology and the American ethos to be the cornerstones of Parsons' social thought, this book will appeal not only to those with interests in classical sociology - and who wish to fully understand what this 'classic' has to offer - but also to those who wish to make sociology answer to the problems of the society of the present.

Talcott Parsons on Institutions and Social Evolution

Talcott Parsons on Institutions and Social Evolution PDF

Author: Talcott Parsons

Publisher: University of Chicago Press

Published: 1985-04-15

Total Pages: 369

ISBN-13: 0226647498

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Offering a diverse set of contributions to current social contracting research, this volume illustrates how social contracts necessarily underlie and facilitate all forms of capitalist production and exchange. The editors bring together novel contributions from fields as diverse as economics, evolutionary game theory, contract law, business ethics, moral philosophy and anthropology to offer multifaceted but subtly intertwined perspectives on fundamental questions concerning human cooperation.

Talcott Parsons

Talcott Parsons PDF

Author: Peter Hamilton

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Published: 1992

Total Pages: 368

ISBN-13: 9780415037624

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Talcott Parsons (1904-79) is widely regarded as one of the most important sociologists of the twentieth century. These four volumes provide an essential guide to the thought and work of this major sociologist.

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