Social Practice, Social Action, Social Magic

In: Acta sociologica: journal of the Scandinavian Sociological Association, Band 16, Heft 3, S. 157-174

Abstract

The Greek word praxis means 'action', and praxis (practice) and action are central concepts in two important theories, Marxism and the sociological theory of action. In an analysis of the concept of action in Parsons, Weber, and Homans, and of the practice concept in Marx' works the two concepts and theories are compared. The conclusion is that the theory of action is the opposite of the theory of practice. In a critique of Gouldner et al. the author finds that neither in the development of the "voluntaristic theory of action" nor in that of dialectical materialism did any distinction of active vs passive images of man play any vital role. Finally. a hypothesis is submitted about the magical function of some recent normative sociology