Addressing the neglect of the work of Talcott Parsons, the complexity of whose thought and the opacity of whose writing style can prove daunting, this book provides a comprehensible account of the major theoretical accomplishments in his work and the reasons for which his legacy remains important to contemporary sociological debates.
Addressing the neglect of the work of Talcott Parsons, the complexity of whose thought and the opacity of whose writing style can prove daunting, this book provides a comprehensible account of the major theoretical accomplishments in his work and the reasons for which his legacy remains important to contemporary sociological debates. With attention to the unification of theoretical concepts for the humanities, basic methodological issues such as empiricism and functional analysis, the definition and status of culture, the interaction between the individual and society and the question of modernity and societal change,
Reading Talcott Parsons: A Re-Assessment of His Legacy offers an orientation in the work of one of the 20th centurys most important sociologists and explores the reason for which his contributions to the discipline are of enduring importance. As such it will appeal to scholars and students across the social sciences with interests in social theory, social research methodology and the history of sociology.
Recenzijas
We owe Helmut Staubmann a major debt of gratitude for reviving Parsons core legacy namely his foundational action theory.
Bryan S. Turner, ACU, CUNY, the Edward Cadbury Centre Birmingham and the Australian Academy
A variety of reasons might explain why Parsons isnt read much anymore, but Helmut Staubmanns book elegantly shows that Parsons deserves his place in all courses on sociological theory.
Raf Vanderstraeten, University of Ghent
Chapter
1. How Great a Stir he Made in the World: The Stages in
Talcott Parsons Life and Career
Chapter
2. Post-Classical Sociology: Parsons Synthesis
Chapter
3. Why Systems of Action?
Chapter
4. Functional Analysis: A Methodology for Living Systems
Chapter
5. The Many Forms of (Dis)Obedience: Money, Power and the Theory of
Symbolic Media
Chapter
6. Society and Societal Change
Chapter
7. Are We SOcial Constructions? The Link between Character and
Society
Chapter
8. The Reason of Culture
Helmut Staubmann is Professor Emeritus of Social Theory and Cultural Sociology at the University of Innsbruck, Austria. His research focuses on aesthetics and foundational issues of sociological theory. He is the author of Sociology in a New Key. Essays in Social Theory and Aesthetics (2022) and editor (with A. Javier Trevińo) of The Routledge International Handbook of Talcott Parsons Studies (2022). Together with Victor M. Lidz, he edits the book series Studies in the Theory of Action.
(www.helmut-staubmann.info)
