Social action systems : foundation and synthesis in sociological theory / Thomas J. Fararo.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Fararo, Thomas J.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Social systems.

Action theory.

Sociology--Philosophy.

Sociology.

Parsons, Talcott, 1902-1979.

Parsons, Talcott.

Homans, George Caspar, 1910-.

Homans, George Caspar.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (319 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Westport, Conn. : Praeger, 2001.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Fararo studies general theoretical sociology as a time-extended tradition with three phases: classical, postclassical, and recent. Employing a process philosophical approach, the author seeks to examine these three phases in an effort to provide a synthesis of the theories that seek to lay the foundations of theoretical sociology. The author especially focuses on the work of Talcott Parsons and George Homans, two contemporary theorists whose common aspiration was to forge a theoretical foundation for sociology that would serve to unify and integrate all theories growing out of sociological research in much the same way that the theory of evolution guides and integrates all other biological theories. To begin, the author provides a history and overview of the key classical theoretical frameworks from the perspective of process philosophy, which he applies to all three phases of the study. Fararo then carefully analyzes two major postclassical bodies of general theory, namely the evolving and intertwined frameworks of Parsons and Homans from their early theories of social systems to their later divergent perspectives on foundation and synthesis in sociological theory. Finally, the discussion turns to the recent phase of general theoretical sociology, where more recent foundation strategies -- rational choice theory and generative structuralism -- are analyzed in relation to the postclassical phase of the tradition. This important and sophisticated new work is essential for all those interested in sociological theory in particular and sociology in general.

Contents:

Intro

Preface

1. General Theoretical Sociology in Context

Introduction

The Historical Phases of Sociological Theory

The Three Components of Sociological Theory

Theory Structures and Cognitive Standards

Summary

I. Process and Social Reality

2. Classical Foundations

The Structure of Mead's Relational Process Thought

The Structure of Marx's Relational Process Thought

Dynamic Networks and the Structure of Durkheim's Thought

Weber's Social Action Foundations of Sociology

Form and Process in Simmel's Foundations of Sociology

3. Foundations of Analytical Realism

The Common Intellectual Background

Materialism, Idealism, and Process Philosophy

Whitehead's Process Philosophy

Pareto's General Theoretical Sociology

II. Two Postclassical Paths of Synthesis

4. The Structural Analysis of Social Action Systems

Conceptual Schemes

Positivistic and Idealistic Traditions of Social Theory

Voluntarism and the Action Frame of Reference

The Branches of the Theory of Action Systems

The Problem of Social Order

Transition to Structural-Functional Theory

5. The Analytical Theory of Social Systems

Introduction: The Path Parsons Did Not Take

Orientation to the Approach

The Analytical Theory

The Theory and the System Model

Conclusions

6. A Structural-Functional Theory of Social Systems

Three Types of Systems

The Actor-Situation Frame of Reference

Interpenetration: The Institutionalization of Culture

Interpenetration: The Internalization of Culture

The Matching Principle

The Pattern Variables as Parameters

Social System Analysis: Complexes

Social System Analysis: Equilibrium and Stability

The Integration of Social Systems.

Conclusions: Homans and Parsons on Social Systems

7. The Four-Function Paradigm: The Social System Model

Functional Analysis

The Functional Analysis of Social Systems

Complex Social Systems

Economy and Society

Symbolic Media Theory

8. The Four-Function Paradigm: The General Action System Model

The Functional Analysis of Action Systems

Control Hierarchy in Action Systems

Evolutionary Change

Brief Summary

Assessment

9. The Behavioral Theory of Spontaneous Order: Background and Core Principles

Background for the Behavioral Theory

Methodology and Core Ideas

Five Behavioral Principles

Bounded Subjective Rationality

10. The Behavioral Theory of Spontaneous Order: Group Processes

Social Interaction Processes

Homans and Durkheim on Explanation

III. Two Strategies in Recent Theoretical Sociology

11. The Rational Choice Strategy

Blau's Recursive Process Theory

Enter Coleman

Coleman's Foundations

The Philosophy of the Rational Choice Approach

Toward a General Social Equilibrium Theory

Conclusion

12. The Generative Structuralist Strategy

Introduction: The Spirit of Unification

Generative Models

Generating Institutionalized Social Action

Theory Templates and the Spirit of Unification

References

Index.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references (p. [299]-312) and index.

ISBN:

9780313074110

0313074119

OCLC:

70769432