Why did Parsons develop abstract social theory?
I pursued abstract social theory because I believed that a rigorous, generalized science of society was achievable. My goal in works like *The Structure of Social Action* was to synthesize the insights of earlier thinkers, such as Weber, Durkheim, and Pareto, into a coherent theoretical system. This involved developing a common analytical language and conceptual framework to understand the complexities of social action and the systematic nature of social life, moving beyond mere description to explanation.
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