Ruman Social System Theory and Modernity

Author: Gao Xuanhang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-10-15
Features: Niklas Luhmann (1927-1998), a renowned German sociologist and the founder of contemporary social systems theory, was born in Lüeneburg, Lower Saxony, in 1927. In 1946, he studied law at the University of Freiburg. After graduating and passing two national examinations, he served in administrative agencies. In 1961, he spent a year as a visiting researcher at Harvard University in the United States under Parsons, and later taught at the German Administrative College. In 1967, he obtained his doctorate and professorship from the University of Münster, where he taught from 1968 until he later moved to the University of Bielefeld. Throughout his academic career, Luhmann systematically summarized all research on "systems" in human history and adapted it based on the characteristics of modern sociocultural development. His social systems theory not only includes the new findings of modern natural science research on "systems" and the theoretical achievements of modern social science research on "systems" but also incorporates the theoretical perspectives of Western culture from ancient Greece onwards, exploring "systems" from philosophical and sociocultural scientific angles, as well as the popular "systems" concepts derived from people's broad daily life experiences. This book is the first academic work independently conducted by Chinese scholars to systematically study Luhmann's social systems theory. Luhmann's social systems theory offers a profound diagnosis of the complexity and differentiation of contemporary society. Starting from the basic structures of contemporary society and the fundamental characteristics of social behavior among contemporary actors, he emphasizes the high degree of functional differentiation in contemporary social structures and the extreme complexity of the social action logic of contemporary actors. He deeply highlights the self-referential nature of functional differentiation in contemporary society, establishing his analysis of contemporary society on a brand-new functional structural theory. With his unique social systems theory and its distinctive method of combining "micro／macro," he vividly highlights the characteristics of functional differentiation in contemporary society. This is the first academic work independently conducted by Chinese scholars to systematically study and critique Luhmann's social systems theory. Niklas Luhmann, a German sociologist, has established his social systems theory over the past four decades, one of the greatest theoretical research achievements in Western social sciences in the second half of the 20th century. However, the highly challenging and complex form of argumentation in Luhmann's theory makes it difficult for general sociological researchers to understand. This book, while discussing Luhmann's social systems theory, strives to express the originally obscure concepts in concise language while also conducting in-depth analytical critique of its basic concepts. At the same time, another important feature of this book is that it consistently revolves around the central issue of Luhmann's social systems theory, namely "modernity," for discussion. This not only makes it more focused but also allows it to be connected with the "modernity" issue currently being discussed in theoretical circles. The book is well-argued, appropriately cited, thought-provoking, and inspiring, contributing to deeper reflection and research on Luhmann's social systems theory and the issue of modernity in academia.