Functionalism and Classical Sociological Theory
Not what you're looking for?
Functionalism comes from mathematics and system analysis. Why is that analysis so vital to all sciences, including social sciences?
Purchase this Solution
Solution Summary
The solution provides an in-depth, yet concise and comprehensive narrative that tackles the importance of functionalism, a scientific approach with mathematical origins, in the social sciences. The solution follows the APA-format with word version attached for easy printing. References are provided
Solution Preview
Dear Student,
The solution below is concise and comprehensive enough to provide a narrative that discusses the problem you have need assistance with in your posting. I hope this helps.
Sincerely,
OTA 105878/Xenia Jones
Functionalism in the Social Sciences
Functionalism as a philosophy of mind looks not on the mental or internal state of a subject or object to make sense of it but rather on the roles it plays, its many functions and uses and the systems and environment that it is a part of - in other words meaning and significance as well as identity is defined by what it does, its usage, importance - its function (or non-function in some cases). Primarily however before functionalism became a philosophy that informs natural and social sciences, it was a mathematical theory. In math, numbers can be broken down to smaller measures or enlarged, multiplied and added together to build bigger expressions no matter what the equation is as long as non-given elements in it can be changed in terms of value. Take for instance the equation of the Pythagorean Theorem a2 + b2 = c2. Here, the function of the symbols is that they represent values and they could be any number but the equation functions in that it sets rules for equality - that A when squared is added to B that is also squared will always give us the value of C also squared. Based on this ...
Education
- MPhil/PhD (IP), Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
- MA, Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
- Certificate, Geva Ulpan (via Universita Tel Aviv)
- BA, University of the Philippines
Recent Feedback
- "Thank you!:)"
- "Excellent, thank you!:)"
- "Thank you for your timely help. I have submitted another posting (656038) and assigned it directly to you. Please help."
- "Thank you so much for your timely help. Much appreciated."
- "Thanks so much for your support."
Purchase this Solution
Free BrainMass Quizzes
Introduction to Nanotechnology/Nanomaterials
This quiz is for any area of science. Test yourself to see what knowledge of nanotechnology you have. This content will also make you familiar with basic concepts of nanotechnology.
The Moon
Test your knowledge of moon phases and movement.
Intro to the Physics Waves
Some short-answer questions involving the basic vocabulary of string, sound, and water waves.
Basic Physics
This quiz will test your knowledge about basic Physics.
Variables in Science Experiments
How well do you understand variables? Test your knowledge of independent (manipulated), dependent (responding), and controlled variables with this 10 question quiz.