Talcott Parsons Quotes & Sayings (Page 3)

“Now obviously the propositions of the system have reference to matters of empirical fact; if they did not, they could have no claim to be called scientific.”

“Special emphasis should be laid on this intimate interrelation of general statements about empirical fact with the logical elements and structure of theoretical systems.”

“That is, a system starts with a group of interrelated propositions which involve reference to empirical observations within the logical framework of the propositions in question.”

“A theoretical system does not merely state facts which have been observed and that logically deducible relations to other facts which have also been observed.”

“Of course there may well be particular reasons why Spencer rather than others is dead, as there were also particular reasons why he rather than others made such a stir.”

“The system becomes logically closed when each of the logical implications which can be derived from any one proposition within the system finds its statement in another proposition in the same system.”

“Among those who are satisfactory in this respect it is desirable to have represented as great a diversity of intellectual tradition, social milieu and personal character as possible.”