Kanttekeningen

Talcott Parsons (1902-1979)

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Abstract

Talcott Parsons died in May 1979. He was one of America’s most distinguished sociologists and one of the most influential representatives of the school of analytical sociology. Parsons’ principal concern was to build up a general theory of human action. His early interest in the relations between economic and sociological theory brought him to the work of Weber, Durkheim and Pareto. Soon after, a process of extension of interest beyond the social area, first mainly into the psychological field, began. This was stimulated especially by extensive reading of Freud. Somewhat later, came an increasing concern with the theoretical analysis of cultural systems and their relations to social systems. From his critical studies on these matters, Parsons derived the basis orientation for his theory: a general sociological theory must be an action theory. This means that Parsons based his general sociological theory upon an action frame of reference. Parsons’ system of action was conceived as involving four subsystems: behavioral systems, personality systems, social systems and cultural systems, each of which meets one of the four independent functional imperatives or problems in maintaining the equilibrium and/or continuing the existence of the general system. The four problems are those of adaptation, goal attainment, integration, and latency. To this fourfold conceptual scheme, Parsons developed the now famous set of pattern variables, conceived as constituting basic dilemma’s confronting any action in any situation. There is a close relationship between Parsons’ analytical work and his substantive sociology. His substantive work should be seen in the perspective of the broader set of problems that Parsons was concerned with as a theoretical sociologist. Parsons theoretical work is on the whole the most widely recognized of any contemporary sociologist. Many have challenged his concepts, but in so doing have been stimulated to productive research. The full returns of Parsons’ sociology are yet to be seen.

How to Cite:

Versichelen, M., (1979) “Talcott Parsons (1902-1979)”, Tijdschrift voor Sociale Wetenschappen 24(4), 356–360. doi: https://doi.org/10.21825/tvsw.96127