Dynamic Functionalism Strategy and Tactics [Paperback]

In this book, Michael Faia challenges the view that functionalism should be rejected.Functional theory in the social sciences has fallen into current disfavor because it is alleged to be a static form of reactionary theory incapable of explaining social change. The author asserts that functional theories are inherently dynamic and force sociology to transcend its infamous paradigm disputes. Functional theory in the social sciences has fallen into current disfavor because it is alleged to be a static form of reactionary theory incapable of explaining social change. The author asserts that functional theories are inherently dynamic and force sociology to transcend its infamous paradigm disputes. Over the last several decades, functional theory in the social sciences has fallen into disfavour. Alleged to be a static form of theory incapable of explaining social change, methodologically impotent and ideologically tainted, functionalism stands accused of being socially and politically reactionary. In this book, Michael Faia challenges the view that functionalism should be rejected. He claims that because functional theories are causal, multivariate, time-ordered, and characterized by reciprocal causation, they are in fact inherently dynamic, demand the highest methodological rigour, and also force sociology to transcend its infamous 'paradigm disputes' by recognizing that the social sciences have already achieved an 'integrated methodological paradigm'. The central arguments of the book are illustrated by a wide variety of examples drawn from several academic disciplines. These range from the incest taboo to witchcraft, from tenure in the US Congress to duration of marriage. The reader thus gains a strong appreciation of the wide applicability of the functionalist mode of explanation.List of figures and tables; Preface; Part I. Allegations, Definitions, and Illustrations: 1. A kindly critique of Kingsley Davis; 2. The incest taboo: social selection as a form of feedbaclÃ$