Routledge International Handbook of Talcott Parsons Studies

<p>Talcott Parsons was the leading theorist in American sociology--and perhaps in world sociology--from the 1940s to the 1970s. He created the dominant school of thought that made Parsonian a standard description of a theoretical attempt to unify social science as reflected in the fact that his contributions to the discipline cover a range of issues including medicine the family religion law the economy race relations and politics--to name but a few. This volume brings together leading scholars working in the field of Parsonian Studies to explore the background of Parsons's work the content of his oeuvre and his subsequent influence. Thematically organized it covers Parsons's contributions and impacts in areas including the philosophy and methodology of the social sciences; cultural sociology; personality mental illness and psychoanalysis; and economics and political and economic sociology. In addition it considers his influence in different areas of the world and on particular students and offers insights into the Parsonian tradition's practical application to contemporary social issues. An authoritative comprehensive and in-depth critical assessment of the Parsonian legacy <i>The Routledge International Handbook of Talcott Parsons Studies</i> will appeal to scholars across the social sciences and in sociology and social theory in particular with interests in the history of sociology and the enduring relevance of Talcott Parsons.</p>