Theory of Action (Routledge Revivals) by Richard Münch

Author:Richard Münch [Münch, Richard]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780415615617
Barnesnoble:
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Published: 2012-06-07T00:00:00+00:00

One hardly needs to dispute that there are tensions in Parsons’s work between idealism and positivism, and between a sociology of the life-world and systems functionalism. Indeed one could expect no different of a theoretical programme which has the express aim of integrating these opposing positions. Integration does not mean the dominance of one position over another, nor their reconciliation, nor yet their mutual isolation—it means their interpenetration. Both polar positions then retain their special status. Neither of the poles is done away with, but they are included in a wider frame of reference, that is, they are ‘dialectically’ replaced and preserved on a higher level. Integration through interpenetration signifies the successful development of a common, all-embracing categorical frame of reference, rules for linking the categories together, empirical hypotheses and practical applications. It would no doubt be an over-estimate of any author’s ability if one were to expect him/ her to fully achieve this integration at all stages of theoretical development. Thus, while in The Structure of Social Action it is the conflict between hermeneutic interpretation (Verstehen) and causal explanation which is most strongly in evidence, in later developmental stages the tension between idealism and positivism comes to light mainly in the conflict between action theory and systems theory. The solution to this conflict cannot lie in sacrificing one to the other, but only in finding better ways of integrating the two components by following the programme of a voluntaristic theory of action, a theory which can be reduced neither to the idealistic premises of life-world sociology or rationalistic developmental logic, nor to the positivistic premises of systems functionalism or orthodox materialism. The fact that Parsons was unsuccessful in completely integrating these divergent theoretical positions should by no means suggest that he has not made some substantial strides in the right direction. And even the moves Parsons has made can teach us more than an ambivalent theoretical position which, though it recognizes ‘the differentiation of the systems from the life-world’ as a stage of societal development from which we cannot go backwards, does not, because of its idealistic captivation, actually possess any theoretical concept for the integration of systems and life-world, and contents itself with mere normative postulates demanding a rolling back of the mechanization of the life-world so that we may regain it. However he tries to recognize the separate status and differentiation of systems, Habermas remains imprisoned by the dualism of German idealism, the inherent anti-modern tendencies of which cannot be shaken off easily. In this frame of reference then, the idea of a system is still something alien with which the life-world cannot be integrated.

Habermas also lacks the analytical instruments needed for an appropriate grasp of the conditions for integrating system and life-world. The two are separate spheres of action and separate paradigms are used to examine them. Any particular sphere of action may either be set free from the life-world, or may remain within it; it may stay outside the life-world or be reincluded in it.

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