Chinese Journal of Sociology ›› 2015, Vol. 35 ›› Issue (6): 1-30.

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Melancholoa fin-de-siècle and American Ethos: Parsons and the Modern Transition of Classical Social Theory

ZHAO Liwei，Institute of Sociology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences   

  • Online:2015-11-20 Published:2015-11-20
  • Contact: ZHAO Liwei，Institute of Sociology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences E-mail:stzhaoliwei@163.com

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Abstract: Talcott Parsons’s the Structure of Social Action (1937) presents a unique inquiry, in which historical, empirical and theoretical approaches were blended together. The book treated social theories of the late 19th and early 20th century and the practical inquires made by those social theorists as the object of its empirical study, however, what it had accomplished was a foundational structure for social theories and their future development. The Structure forged a link between what was before and what came after in the history of sociology, marking the modern transition of classical sociological theories. On the one hand, by exploring major social theory contributors at the turn of the century, the Structure started a reflective sociological examination of its own tradition and development. On the other hand, by considering the totality of all the contributions, the Structure incorporated the basic elements of the classical social theories into modern a social action theory, or “voluntaristic theory of action” in Parsons’ term. Parsons’ book was written during the New Deal era. Under the influence of his time, Parsons gave an entirely new reading to the classical social theories. His interpretation hinted a typically activist and optimistic nature of “American ethos” and therefore separated the classical theories to the problems of their time. Interestingly, this Americanized interpretation serves as an evidence of Parsons’ ambition to build a universally applicable theoretical structure of social science.

Key words: classical social theory , Melancholia fin-de-siècle , Talcott Parsons , The Structure of Social Action , American ethos