Theory not only formulates what we know but also tells us what we want to know, that is, the questions to which an answer is needed. — Talcott Parsons Copy Share Image
A theoretical system does not merely state facts which have been observed and that logically deducible relations to other facts which have also been… — Talcott Parsons Copy Share Image
The main concern of the study is with the outline of a theoretical system. Its minor variations from writer to writer are not a… — Talcott Parsons Copy Share Image
But the fact a person denies that he is theorising is no reason for taking him at his word and failing to investigate what… — Talcott Parsons Copy Share Image
The hypothesis may be put forward, to be tested by the s subsequent investigation, that this development has been in large part a matter… — Talcott Parsons Copy Share Image
The implications of these considerations justify the statement that all empirically verifiable knowledge even the commonsense knowledge of everyday life - involves implicitly, if… — Talcott Parsons Copy Share Image
In so far as such a theory is empirically correct it will also tell us what empirical facts it should be possible to observe… — Talcott Parsons Copy Share Image
The conception that, instead of this, contemporary society is at or near a turning point is very prominent in the views of a school… — Talcott Parsons Copy Share Image
If capitalism begins as the practical idealism of the aspiring bourgeoisie, it ends ... as an orgy of materialism. — Talcott Parsons Copy Share Image
The part an actor played on stage was once written on a separate roll of paper. — Talcott Parsons Copy Share Image
Theory not only formulates what we know but also tells us what we want to know, that is, the questions to which an answer… — Talcott Parsons Copy Share Image
Thus, in general, in the first instance, the direction of interest in empirical fact will be canalised by the logical structure of the theoretical… — Talcott Parsons Copy Share Image
That is, a system starts with a group of interrelated propositions which involve reference to empirical observations within the logical framework of the propositions… — Talcott Parsons Copy Share Image
