Abstract
This paper aims at expanding on François Dépelteau's conception of social relation as dynamic processes. I argue that the basic concept of process is in need of further developments. We tend to understand processes as teleological, but I contend that self-referential processes are a more interesting model for relational sociology. Using Niklas Luhmann's theory, we can conceive self-referential processes as systems that self-organise by transforming disorder into order. For this to be possible, systems must harbour within themselves. The paper then explores the various reasons that explain this special feature.
Highlights
This paper is inspired by many conversations I had with my late friend François Dépelteau
Would François Dépelteau have ever embraced Luhmann’s systems theory as an expression or a version of his vision of relational sociology? I cannot be completely sure because I continue to think that François would have been probably turned off by Luhmann’s uncompromising and unflinching theoretical apparatus
I contend that the concept of process causes some difficulties in that it tends to force us to assume some sort of teleology, with a clear beginning and a simple end, as in the case of boiling water. This teleological requirement makes for processes that are all too rigid and reductive, which runs counter to the hopes of relational sociology
Summary
Special Section: “Special Issue guest-edited by Prof. Date of submission: April 2019 Accepted in: June 2020 Published in: February 2021. What relational sociology can learn from systems theory.”. Peeter Selg around the work of François Dépelteau”. Universitat Oberta de Catalunya and Universidad de Antioquia. The texts published in this journal are – unless otherwise indicated – covered by the Creative Commons Spain Attribution 4.0 International licence. The full text of the licence can be consulted here: http://creativecommons. The full text of the licence can be consulted here: http://creativecommons. org/licenses/by/4.0/
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