Talcott Parsons on Institutions and Social Evolution: Selected WritingsTalcott Parsons is regarded, by admirers and critics alike, as a major creator of the sociological thought of our time. Despite the universal recognition of his influence, however, Parsons's thought is not well understood, in part because his work presents the reader with almost legendary difficulties. Most of his important essays and books presume that the reader is familiar with his rather specialized vocabulary, and even when Parsons begins by defining basic terms, his special uses for words and his style of exposition strike many readers as forbidding. In his extensive introduction to this volume, Leon H. Mayhew brings a new focus and clarity to Talcott Parsons's work. Explicating Parsons on his own terms, Mayhew discusses the basic tools of Parsonian analysis and interprets the larger themes of his work. He provides a chronological account of the development of Parsons's thought, his presuppositions, and his position on the ideological spectrum of social thought. Mayhew then presents twenty of Parsons's essays, touching on each of the major aspects of his work, including "action" theory and the celebrated four-function scheme. Other topics covered include the role of theory in social research, evolutionary universals in society, influence, control, and the mass media. "Talcott Parsons on Institutions and Social Evolution will become a standard reference for those studying that development of his sociological ideas."—Martin Bulmer, The Times Higher Education Supplement |
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Talcott Parsons on Institutions and Social Evolution: Selected Writings Talcott Parsons No preview available - 1982 |
Common terms and phrases
action action theory actor adaptive allocation alter analysis analytical ascription aspect basic basis behavior capacity cathectic cathexis collective commitments common complex concept concerns concrete conscience collective constitute context cultural defined definition differentiation Durkheim's economic effective elements empirical ends essential evolutionary universal exchange facilities fact frame of reference Freud function fundamental goals groups Hence human implies important individual influence institutionalization institutions integration interaction interest involved jurisdiction kinship legitimation logical Max Weber means mechanical solidarity mechanisms modern society monetary moral motivation Neil Smelser nomic normative order norms object obligations organic solidarity organization orientation paradigm Parsonian Parsons's particular pattern variables patterns political position positivistic primary problem productive relation relative relevant role sanctions sense significance situation social structure social system sociological theory solidarity specific stability stitutionalization stratification subsystems superego symbolic Talcott Parsons theoretical tion ultimate units utilitarian values Winston White