Talcott Parsons, the American sociologist, was a towering figure in the field of sociology, known for his influential theories on social systems and the structure of society. Through works such as "The Structure of Social Action" and "The Social System," Parsons sought to develop a comprehensive framework for understanding human behavior and social organization. His ideas continue to shape sociological inquiry and provide valuable insights into the complexities of modern society.
"But the scientific importance of a change in knowledge of fact consists precisely in j its having consequences for a system of theory."
"Special emphasis should be laid on this intimate interrelation of general statements about empirical fact with the logical elements and structure of theoretical systems."
"The importance of certain problems concerning the facts will be inherent in the structure of the system."
"The conception that, instead of this, contemporary society is at or near a turning point is very prominent in the views of a school of social scientists who, though they are still comparatively few, are getting more and more of a hearing."
"The functions of the family in a highly differentiated society are not to be interpreted as functions directly on behalf of the society, but on behalf of personality."
"In so far as such a theory is empirically correct it will also tell us what empirical facts it should be possible to observe in a given set of circumstances."
"If there are four equations and only three variables, and no one of the equations is derivable from the others by algebraic manipulation then there is another variable missing."
"That is, a system starts with a group of interrelated propositions which involve reference to empirical observations within the logical framework of the propositions in question."
"The hypothesis may be put forward, to be tested by the s subsequent investigation, that this development has been in large part a matter of the reciprocal interaction of new factual insights and knowledge on the one hand with changes in the theoretical system on the other."
"It is probably safe to say that all the changes of factual knowledge which have led to the relativity theory, resulting in a very great theoretical development, are completely trivial from any point of view except their relevance to the structure of a theoretical system."
"From all this it follows what the general character of the problem of the development of a body of scientific knowledge is, in so far as it depends on elements internal to science itself."