37 Quotes by Talcott Parsons

Moreover, the structure of a theoretical system tells us what alternatives are open in the possible answers to a given question.

Knowledge is held to be an entirely quantitative affair. The one important thing is to have observed what had not been observed before.

The simplest way to see the meaning of the concept of a closed, system in this sense is to consider the example of a system of simultaneous equations.

If capitalism begins as the practical idealism of the aspiring bourgeoisie, it ends ... as an orgy of materialism.

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 scientists in that field are concerned.

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, and conversely without a continuous and healthy development and application of science such a society cannot function properly.

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.

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 – and, not least, a changing a structure of the theoretical system.

The implications of these considerations justify the statement that all empirically verifiable knowledge even the commonsense knowledge of everyday life – involves implicitly, if not explicitly, systematic theory in this sense.