Functional Eclecticism
On Luhmann's Style of Theorizing
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 7531409 |
|---|---|
| Authors | C Borch (0000-0001-8217-5880, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2012 |
| Volume | 259 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 123-142 |
| Publication date | 2012-03-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Revue internationale de philosophie (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0048-8143 • E-ISSN: 2033-0138 |
| Publisher | De Boeck Superior (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.3917/rip.259.0123 |
| OpenAlex | W2125711657 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 5 |
| References cited | 7 |
This article argues that Niklas Luhmann’s way of theorizing is characterized by an eclectic approach. In fact, this eclecticism is the central motor that drives Luhmann’s theoretical work forward, enabling him to retain his foundational distinction between system and environment while continuously adding new aspects and emphases to the theory. On the basis of a discussion of the pros and cons of eclecticism, it is argued that Luhmann benefits from the advantages of eclecticism and avoids the drawbacks often associated with such an approach. It is also contended that the eclectic impetus of Luhmann’s theorizing is predicated on the functional method that Luhmann developed in his earliest writings, and that the functional method and the eclectic approach constitute the backbone of Luhmann’s Enlightenment project
Eclecticism · Enlightenment · Epistemology · Sociology · Style (visual arts · Systems theory · Artificial Intelligence · Computer Science · Critical Theory and Philosophy · Emile Durkheim and Sociology · History · Philosophy · Weber, Simmel, Sociological Theory
| Unique citing works | 5 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,83 |
| Citation span | 2020 - 2025 (6) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 5 |