The Structure of Social Action, Volume I: Marshall, Pareto, Durkheim

by Talcott Parsons

From Simon & Schuster, Talcott Parsons' The Structure of Social Action is a study in social theory with special reference to a group of recent European writers from the 20th century.

Volume 1 of The Structure of Social Action is a must-read for those looking to understand Parsons' thinking of sociology and economics.

Genres: Sociology, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Economics, Anthropology

470 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1937

About the author

Talcott Parsons was an American sociologist of the classical tradition, best known for his social action theory and structural functionalism. Parsons is considered one of the most influential figures in sociology in the 20th century. After earning a PhD in economics, he served on the faculty at Harvard University from 1927 to 1973. In 1930, he was among the first professors in its new sociology department. Later, he was instrumental in the establishment of the Department of Social Relations at Harvard.

Reviews

[Vijayendra Acharya]

Among one of the most complex theoretical tomes and foundational tex of American sociology, I had tried to read and review the book as part of my academic engagement. The book indeed, formed the subject of my Master's level thesis and course work in Sociology of Knowledge.

A Harvard icon figure, Talcott Parsons here emerges as perhaps one of the unique sociologists to have applied his mind to developing a systems approach to the discipline of theoretical sociology and therefore, had looked at various other contending schools of thought as making up mere components in his framework of heoretical systamatics.

His notions of voluntarist action, social evolution, theory building etc are reflective of his lofty theoretical ambitions and cognitive lineages of earlier generation of system builders in the social sciences.