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Parsons as a Symbolic Interactionist: A Comparison of Action and Interaction Theory 1
Author(s) -
Turner Jonathan H.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
sociological inquiry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.446
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1475-682X
pISSN - 0038-0245
DOI - 10.1111/j.1475-682x.1974.tb01162.x
Subject(s) - symbolic interactionism , interactionism , sociology , epistemology , action (physics) , action theory (sociology) , metaphysics , personality theory , social theory , personality , social psychology , social science , psychology , philosophy , physics , quantum mechanics
Action theory's substantive image of social organization, theory building strategy, and methodological tenets are compared with those of interactionism. Despite polemics to the contrary, action and interaction concepts denote a similar image of social organization and personality. As is argued, the principle difference between the two perspectives revolves around the issue of the most appropriate theory building and methodological strategy. The ontological implications of this fact are examined and found not to justify the continued partitioning of social theory into antagonistic metaphysical camps.