近代性の比較研究への社会システム理論的アプローチ

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  • キンダイセイ ノ ヒカク ケンキュウ エ ノ シャカイ システム リロンテキ アプローチ
  • A Social Systems Theoretical Approach to the Comparative Study of Modernities

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This paper aims to explore a sociological perspective for the contemporary world. Among others, this paper focuses on the comparative study of modernity. Although modernity is one of the most crucial concepts in sociology, it has not been well defined both inside and outside sociology. Therefore, this paper questions how the comparative study of modernity is possible through sociological theory. Out of all sociological theories, this paper takes a perspective from systems theory because it can provide us with an effective analytical tool to see things differently. Then the concept of modernity can be reinterpreted as follows:First, according to Niklas Luhmann, society is redescribed as a single social system consisting of communication. This alternative definition of society enables us to grasp modernity as plural. It is the starting point to distinguish between modernity and modernization. Second, in systems theory, rationality is understood as falling under the term“system rationality.”Here,“system rationality”is reinterpreted as the improvement of the cognitive capacity of social systems. Finally, by asking what kind of cognitive schema enables society to improve the cognitive ability of social systems, we can compare modernities as multiple.In conclusion, sociological systems theory can offer a way to observe the variety of modernities by the newly defined concept of “system rationality.”

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