Suchergebnisse

An outline for a sociological theory of postmodernity is presented that considers it as the fully developed form of modernity, not just an aberrant variant, but a viable, pragmatically, & logically self-contained social condition defined by distinctive features of it own (ie, institutionalized pluralism, variety, ambivalence, & contingency). It is argued that a sociological theory of postmodernity must: refuse the temptation to erect totalizing systems of thought; focus on the habitat in which agency operates; recognize that agents are only partly, if at all, constrained in their pursuit of interests; & show concern for the way that actors self-constitute themselves in the absence of coercive structures & absolute truths. Postmodern ethics & politics are also discussed. It is concluded that to effectively capture the essence of postmodernity, sociology must conceive itself as social & cultural interpreter, rather than social legislator or engineer, which will require a high degree of reflexivity. W. Howard

This paper discusses critically some major developments of post-Parsonian sociological/social theory, focusing particularly on the micro-macro and agency-structure issues. The failure to deal in a satisfactory manner with these issues has led to a theoretical impasse that present theorising does not seem able to overcome.