ipl-logo

Niklas Luhmann's Social Systems Theory

873 Words4 Pages

SOCIAL SYSTEMS THEORY Niklas Luhmann (1927-1998), a twentieth century German sociological theorist is credited with founding the Systems Theory in sociology. The theory is a variation of the General Systems Theory (GST). The GST is a strategy of inquiry that integrates diverse areas of theory and research like phenomenology and interactionism with functionalism, conflict theory and many other perspectives. The GST has developed across a variety of sciences with the hope of dealing with a problem common to them all, the scientific treatment of an organised complexity. It is therefore seen as a paradigm shift applicable to the sciences (Ball, 1978). The role of Niklas Luhmann in the development of the systems theory in sociology is aptly illustrated …show more content…

The concept was originally developed by two Chilean biologists Humberto Maturana and Francisco Varela from the Greek words autos meaning self, and poiein meaning to produce. This was in their attempt to explain life and what distinguishes the living from the non-living. They arrived at the conclusion that the living reproduces itself while the non-living does not. Example is the production of proteins and lipids by cells that use them. Hence, the living system is autopoietic (Seidl, 2004). Thus, autopoiesis means self-reproduction and autopoietic systems are systems that are …show more content…

The living system has life as its basic element, the psychic system has consciousness as its basic element, while the social system has communication as its basic element. As explained by Seidl (2004), there are three levels to the hierarchy of systems. The first level is the general autopoietic systems. The second level (living, psychic and social systems stratum) is the types of autopoietic systems constituting different areas of research. The biological sciences are concerned with the living systems, while the psychologists are interested in the study of consciousness of the psychic system and lastly the sociologists are concerned with the social system. The social system which is the concern of sociology is further classified into three: interactions, organisations and societies. The diagram below illustrates the above

Show More
Related

Zo 222 Week 2 Research Assignment

1073 Words | 5 Pages

Along with growth and survival, reproduction is one of the primary things that organisms do. Reproduction is the process by which new organisms are produced from existing organisms (Barlow, 2014). Reproduction is not only important for the survival of an individual but the survival of every population

Read More

Staying With The Trouble: Making Kin In The Chthulucene Chapter Summary

1395 Words | 6 Pages

Haraway argues that understanding the processes of sympoiesis can help us move away from hierarchical ways of thinking and towards a more collaborative mode of existence. The chapter also explores the concept of "response-ability," which involves recognizing our responsibility to respond to the needs and demands of other beings in our shared world. Haraway emphasizes the need to move away from anthropocentric ways of thinking and towards more "multispecies democracy," in which all beings are considered and

Read More

Gary Varner's Biocentric Individualism

726 Words | 3 Pages

In "Biocentric Individualism," Gary Varner argues that plants are not disqualified from having moral standing simply due to the fact that they are congenitally incapable of desiring. In this paper, I will first define the meaning of biocentric individualism and then give a brief explanation of the mental state theory of individual welfare in contrast of the psycho-biological theory of individual welfare. Next, I will recontruct Varner's argument and explain the premises he uses to come to this conclusion. Finally, I will conclude by contructing a critical objection to Varner's argument. To begin with, Varner states that biocentric individualism "attribute moral standing to all living things while denying that holistic entities like species

Read More

Three Theoretical Perspectives In Sociology

92 Words | 1 Pages

In sociology, there are three theoretical perspectives; symbolic interactionism, functional analysis and conflict theory. The major point of symbolic interactionism is to use symbols to help understand how we as a society view the world, and how we communicate with one another. In functional analysis, the major point is to look at society as a whole, constructed of various parts, or groups, that all have their own function. Lastly, conflict theory is the opposite of functional analysis. In this perspective, society is viewed as different groups, each competing for power, or dominance.

Read More

How Does A Range Of Biophysical Processes That Affect The Function Of Coral Reefs

276 Words | 2 Pages

There are a range of biophysical processes that affect the function of marine environments. Coral reefs require abiotic and biotic factors to create a healthy and balanced ecosystem. These factors include currents, sunlight, wave actions, water temperature as well as geomorphic and atmospheric processes. Hydrologic processes like currents and sunlight work together to help algae grow, creating a food source for many organisms that live in reefs. Additionally, free-swimming coral larvae is transported to the rocks and reefs which allows coral species to grow and reefs to expand.

Read More

Wislawa Szymborska Analysis

1483 Words | 6 Pages

Through the use of caesura, and then a nonsense word regarding the increase of population of bacteria, Szymborska establishes how meaningless reproducing is for humans: “they double and triple unobstructed, / with room to spare, willy-nilly” (15-16). Szymborska uses the comma before the nonsense word “willy-nilly” to pause to complete the thought, but then trivializes the observation with the use of “willy-nilly”. The contradiction between the serious thought about how much bacteria can multiply and still not be seen by the human eye and the comical use of “willy-nilly” downplays the significance of the population increase, just as humans will remain on the speck called Earth even if our population

Read More

Imogene King's Conceptual System Theory

1393 Words | 6 Pages

King 's Conceptual System Theory A primary concept of nearly all nursing theories is the belief that humans are the center of nursing care. No matter what setting nurses are practicing in, the goal is to optimize patient outcomes by holistically caring for patients, families, and their environments. Imogene King took this idea, divided in into three systems: personal system, interpersonal system, and social system, and related the systems to goal attainment and specific concepts. Three Systems of King’s Conceptual System

Read More

Emile Durkheim And The Marxist Theory Of Karl Marx

1512 Words | 7 Pages

In this Essay I will compare and contrast two major theoretical perspectives in Sociology. The Functionalist theory of Emile Durkheim and the Marxist theory of Karl Marx (Giddens, 2009, p. 72) Sociology is the scientific study of social life. It describes and analyses social behaviour. It seeks to discover how human society has come to be the way it is, and reveal the social forces that shape people’s lives.

Read More

System Theory In Social Work

1518 Words | 7 Pages

Erasmus Mundus Master in Social Work with Families and Children 4th edition - 2016-2018 1st Semester Name: Rojika Maharjan 1. Social work has evolved with different “theories in social work”; either concepts derived from other social sciences such as psychology or sociology or “theories for social work” which are the core philosophy of social work practice specified to give a professional purpose and approach to practice (Healy, 2014). a) Regarding the context of children and families, system theory and strength theory are appropriate. i)

Read More

System Theory: Critical Theory And Systems Theory

987 Words | 4 Pages

There are different ways of looking at a problem when studying the system theory . It also emphasises that problems are very complex and that our understanding of these problems is always incomplete. (Higgs, 2015).The system theory does not set out to reform the world; its questioning approach often reveals inconsistencies. It claims that social reformers often take an overly simplistic approach to society and the workings of society. Any system is part of the wider world.

Read More

Two Benefits Of Sociology: Sociology, Culture, And Society

1474 Words | 6 Pages

a. Sociology is the study of the social relationships that affect the humans as well as institutions. It involves many fields of study that include crime, religion, family, race, culture and society among others. It is the primary purpose of sociology to provide linkage to all of these different subjects to help in understanding how humans behave (Smith, 2016). b. Sociological enquiry is the careful analysis of the motivational factors as well as the behavior of a certain individual within a particular group of people. The primary objective of sociological inquiry is to reveal an understanding of the social world that is readily observable.

Read More

Marxism And Gender Inequality

1139 Words | 5 Pages

In, Thinking About Sociology: A Critical Introduction (pp.364-387, 342-361). Don Mills, Ontario: Oxford University Press. Anderson, K. (2012). The Functionalist Perspective.

Read More

Sociological Perspectives Essay

1191 Words | 5 Pages

It includes the need to understand the past events; the connection to the society in which we live in and personal life experiences in a particular setting with define values and customs. Sociological is an important element as it allows the society and individuals to relate to various circumstances in their daily activities at local and international levels that are paramount to them. The lack of ability to relate to these situations individuals would be unable to perceive the societal elements that affect them and thus cannot make the changes that would be essential in their lives. Throughout history, different countries have obtained various levels of social imagination and thrived. However, some are yet to experience it while others have already lost it.

Read More

Theories Of Social Work

2257 Words | 10 Pages

Introduction Work to uplift the society by helping people, their families and communities by correcting their problems and try to work for their betterment. Social work is a profession and people doing social work are skilled professionals with good command on their subject. This practice requires an understanding of human. Social work professionals are found in every facet of our life. Example, education institution, companies, healthcare organisations to name a few.

Read More

Similarities Between Structural Functionalism And Symbolic Interactionism

836 Words | 4 Pages

In today’s modern society, everyone is largely affected by society. From multiple social institutions like the government and economy for instance or even the effects of education and mass media; these all play a huge role in an individual’s relationship, behavior, and actions in their society. For an individual to understand things like a “culture” or why every society has a ‘social class hierarchy,’ they will be directed to “Sociology”. Sociology is the systematic study of the structures of human society and social interaction. Sociology attempts to understand how things like society, social events, interactions, and patterns influence the way humans think, act, and feel.

Read More

More about Niklas Luhmann's Social Systems Theory

Related Topics

Open Document