Publication Date

1982

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Rhoads, John K.

Degree Name

M.A. (Master of Arts)

Legacy Department

Department of Sociology

LCSH

Durkheim; Emile; 1858-1917; Parsons; Talcott; 1902-; Pope; Whitney; Sociology--History

Abstract

In 1937 Talcott Parsons published a monograph that has significantly influenced the course of theoretical sociology. In The Structure of Social Action he set forth a detailed analysis of the social theories of some well-known Western European thinkers and claimed to have detected a convergence in their ideas on a common, underlying perspective. Developing this theoretical perspective much further than they had done, Parsons made it the foundation of contemporary sociological functionalism and social system theory. Although Parsons' interpretations of European theory have elicited'much praise and substantial criticism, this thesis subjects his interpretation of Emile Durkheim to a more meticulous and extensive analysis and takes issue with Parsons' conclusion that Durkheim's works reveal a progression from one implicit theoretical perspective to another. In so doing it makes use of Whitney Pope's previous work addressed to the same general problem. As a consequence of the conclusions drawn about Parsons' interpretations, this thesis raises certain questions about his later theoretical constructions.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references.

Extent

iv, 136 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

Download

Share

COinS