The Medium in the Sociology of Niklas Luhmann

From Children to Human Beings

Bibliographic Data

ID21314499
AuthorsChristian Morgner (0000-0003-2891-0113, Management School University of Sheffield, corresponding author)
Year2023
Volume73
Issue6
Pages890-916
Publication date2023-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueEducational Theory (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0013-2004 • E-ISSN: 1741-5446
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/edth.12609
OpenAlexW4390585085
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited14

In this paper, Christian Morgner provides a critical reading of Niklas Luhmann's thinking as ignoring human beings or even as antihumanist. Here, he presents an alternative view that centers on Luhmann's idea of the child or human being as a medium. To explain Luhmann's use of these ideas to conceptualize the child and the consequences for research, Morgner refers to the translation of Luhmann's paper “The Child as the Medium of Education” and to as yet unpublished material from his famous card‐box reference system. Drawing on these materials, Morgner can more clearly illuminate Luhmann's novel perspective and how it could inform further theoretical development, supported by new analysis of existing research in other fields, including developmental psychology, education, philosophy, and sociology. He concludes that, far from neglecting the human, Luhmann's theory takes human being very seriously and acknowledges its key role as a form‐giving medium in addressing the challenges faced by contemporary society. This renewed perspective should be of particular interest to educational theorists, enabling them to more freely apply his ideas in various settings

Epistemology · Perspective (graphical) · Reading (process) · Social science · Sociology · Systems theory · Computer Science · Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability · Philosophical and Historical Studies · Philosophy · Sociology and Education Studies

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