Simmelian Elements in Raymond Boudon’s General Theory of Rationality

Abstract

Raymond Boudon (1934–2013) developed his own general theory of rationality as an extension and original synthesis of the work already provided by classical sociology and rational choice theory. To achieve this, he had to interpret and reinterpret many classical authors and schools of thought. One classical author that inspired Boudon’s theory was German sociologist Georg Simmel (1858–1918). The following article seeks to delineate the particular Simmelian influences that can be found in Raymond Boudon’s theoretical work.