Talcott Parsons Quotes

30 quotes in 450 categories

• Sociology should... be thought of as a science of action-of the ultimate common value element in its relations to the other elements of action.
• A scientifically unimportant discovery is one which, however true and however interesting for other reasons, has no consequences for a system of theory with which…
• Science is intimately integrated with the whole social structure and cultural tradition. They mutually support one other-only in certain types of society can science flourish,…
• If observed facts of undoubted accuracy will not fit any of the alternatives it leaves open, the system itself is in need of reconstruction.
• Empirical interest will be in the facts so far as they are relevant to the solution of these problems.
• A gloss is a total system of perception and language.
• But the scientific importance of a change in knowledge of fact consists precisely in j its having consequences for a system of theory.
• The importance of certain problems concerning the facts will be inherent in the structure of the system.
• The part an actor played on stage was once written on a separate roll of paper.
• 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…
• A theoretical system does not merely state facts which have been observed and that logically deducible relations to other facts which have also been observed.
• But the fact a person denies that he is theorising is no reason for taking him at his word and failing to investigate what implicit…
• 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…
• 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…
• It is that of increasing knowledge of empirical fact, intimately combined with changing interpretations of this body of fact - hence changing general statements about…
• 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…
• 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 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 implications of these considerations justify the statement that all empirically verifiable knowledge even the commonsense knowledge of everyday life - involves implicitly, if not…
• Among those who are satisfactory in this respect it is desirable to have represented as great a diversity of intellectual tradition, social milieu and personal…

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