Systeemleer, model en methode in de sociologie

Samenvatting

Concern here is with the general problem of integrating theories & methods in sociology. The 'modern systems approach'--mainly developed outside of the social sciences in biology & cybernetics--indicates once again the important discrepancy in sociology. On the one hand there exist complex theoretical problems & on the other, methods of analysis which are only partially suitable to the solution of these problems. There are some new methodological approaches that work with abstract models of the cybernetical formal science. These models can better cope with the complexity of some problems of sociological theory. The examples presented prove that this more formal part of the systems approach deserves the attention of sociologists. 2 Figures. Modified HA.