Social Action Systems

by Fararo, Thomas J.

• ISBN13: 9780275973629
• ISBN10: 027597362X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-09-30
• Publisher: Praeger Pub Text

Summary

Employing a process philosophical approach, Fararo studies general theoretical sociology as a time-extended tradition with three phases: classical, postclassical, and recent. 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. Ultimately, the book offers a unique perspective on sociological theory by carefully distinguishing other intellectual orientations from that of general theory.

Author Biography

THOMAS J. FARARO is Distinguished Service Professor of Sociology at The University of Pittsburgh, where he has been since 1967. His most recent books include The Meaning of General Theoretical Sociology, Rational Choice Theory: Advocacy and Critique (co-editor), and The Problem of Solidarity: Theories and Models (co-editor).

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
General Theoretical Sociology in Context	1	(24)
Introduction	1	(4)
The Historical Phases of Sociological Theory	5	(3)
The Three Components of Sociological Theory	8	(4)
Theory Structures and Cognitive Standards	12	(10)
Summary	22	(3)
I. Process and Social Reality	25	(54)
Classical Foundations	27	(30)
Introduction	27	(1)
The Structure of Mead's Relational Process Thought	28	(5)
The Structure of Marx's Relational Process Thought	33	(4)
Dynamic Networks and the Structure of Durkheim's Thought	37	(7)
Weber's Social Action Foundations of Sociology	44	(5)
Form and Process in Simmel's Foundations of Sociology	49	(3)
Summary	52	(5)
Foundations of Analytical Realism	57	(22)
Introduction	57	(1)
The Common Intellectual Background	58	(6)
Materialism, Idealism, and Process Philosophy	64	(1)
Whitehead's Process Philosophy	65	(7)
Pareto's General Theoretical Sociology	72	(3)
Summary	75	(4)
II Two Postclassical Paths of Synthesis	79	(174)
The Structural Analysis of Social Action Systems	81	(26)
Introduction	81	(1)
Conceptual Schemes	82	(4)
Positivistic and Idealistic Traditions of Social Theory	86	(1)
Voluntarism and the Action Frame of Reference	87	(5)
The Branches of the Theory of Action Systems	92	(3)
The Problem of Social Order	95	(3)
Transition to Structural-Functional Theory	98	(3)
Summary	101	(6)
The Analytical Theory of Social Systems	107	(28)
Introduction: The Path Parsons Did Not Take	107	(1)
Orientation to the Approach	108	(3)
The Analytical Theory	111	(6)
The Theory and the System Model	117	(7)
Conclusions	124	(11)
A Structural-Functional Theory of Social Systems	135	(30)
Introduction	135	(1)
Three Types of Systems	136	(1)
The Actor-Situation Frame of Reference	137	(5)
Interpenetration: The Institutionalization of Culture	142	(2)
Interpenetration: The Internalization of Culture	144	(2)
The Matching Principle	146	(2)
The Pattern Variables as Parameters	148	(5)
Social System Analysis: Complexes	153	(1)
Social System Analysis: Equilibrium and Stability	154	(3)
The Integration of Social Systems	157	(2)
Conclusions: Homans and Parsons on Social Systems	159	(6)
The Four-Function Paradigm: The Social System Model	165	(22)
Introduction	165	(1)
Functional Analysis	166	(5)
The Functional Analysis of Social Systems	171	(2)
Complex Social Systems	173	(4)
Economy and Society	177	(2)
Symbolic Media Theory	179	(6)
Summary	185	(2)
The Four-Function Paradigm: The General Action System Model	187	(26)
Introduction	187	(1)
The Functional Analysis of Action Systems	188	(4)
Control Hierarchy in Action Systems	192	(5)
Evolutionary Change	197	(6)
Brief Summary	203	(1)
Assessment	203	(10)
The Behavioral Theory of Spontaneous Order: Background and Core Principles	213	(18)
Introduction	213	(1)
Background for the Behavioral Theory	214	(5)
Methodology and Core Ideas	219	(3)
Five Behavioral Principles	222	(4)
Bounded Subjective Rationality	226	(2)
Summary	228	(3)
The Behavioral Theory of Spontaneous Order: Group Processes	231	(22)
Introduction	231	(1)
Social Interaction Processes	232	(8)
Homans and Durkheim on Explanation	240	(2)
Summary	242	(1)
Assessment	243	(10)
III. Two Strategies in Recent Theoretical Sociology	253	(46)
The Rational Choice Strategy	255	(24)
Introduction	255	(1)
Blau's Recursive Process Theory	256	(1)
Enter Coleman	257	(2)
Coleman's Foundations	259	(2)
The Philosophy of the Rational Choice Approach	261	(2)
Toward a General Social Equilibrium Theory	263	(9)
Summary	272	(1)
Assessment	273	(4)
Conclusion	277	(2)
The Generative Structuralist Strategy	279	(20)
Introduction: The Spirit of Unification	279	(2)
Generative Models	281	(5)
Generating Institutionalized Social Action	286	(4)
Theory Templates and the Spirit of Unification	290	(5)
Conclusion	295	(4)
References	299	(14)
Index	313