Talcott Parsons was a very revered American sociologist. Parsons came from a very religious and socially aware family. At first studying biology, Parsons soon got attracted to the world of economics and sociology. To get a wide variety of different view, Parsons studied not only in America, but in Europe as well. Parsons began teaching at Harvard where he was exposed to sociological thinking.
Parsons influenced all types of Sociology, though his views were considered controversial. Focusing on social actions and systems, he believed that morality is the main ingredient to preserve social order. Parsons worked earlier sociologists' views into a theory of social action, or the action theory. These ideas look into today's society and its institutional structures, which work to clarify action and to gain from it.
Parsons' functionalism, influenced by Bronislaw Malinowski, sparked a debate. Other sociologist challenged and critiqued his beliefs. These challenges only increased the......
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