Morality in Three Social Theories: Parsons, Analytical Marxism and Habermas

Abstract

The current growth in sociological works on morality is generating topical fundamental metatheoretical and philosophical questions concerning the relationship between sociological theory and ethics - descriptive and nor mative ethics and meta ethics It is commonly accepted that sociological theory can include descriptive ethics On the other hand, the relationship to normative ethics and meta ethics has been very much disputed or ambiguous The article analyses the position, of three representative and significant theories concerning this question Parsons' theories of social action and social systems. Analytical Marxism and Habermas's theory of communicative action and his discourse ethics The basic point ot departure is that if sociological theory and ethics are to maintain a stable position, it is imperative to incorporate the double role of sociology as a spectator and a participator in collective self-reflection and enlightenment in societv