Similarities between phenomenology and Luhmann's theory of social systems

From Geography

Sense-making and meaning

Niklas Luhmann's theory of social systems views social systems as sense-making systems, which is similar to phenomenology's focus on the meaningful experiences of actors. (Arnoldi) Meaning is central to Luhmann's concept of social systems in that it is through meaning that a system makes intellegible its environment. Niklas Luhmann uses the notion of Sinn or sense from Phenomenology with notions of self-reference or autopoiesis while drawing on Spencer-Brown's Boolean logic, to come up with the concept of distinction-form. In this he says that the foundation of any meaningful experience is the drawing of distinction. So a social system exists through meaning based on distinction.

Horizon

with the meaning of horizon Edmund Husserl shows that the world can never be fully understood but only through partial views. Luhmann uses this notion of selection to systems which are faced with a high degree of complexity and make sense through selection, while the non-selected remains as a horizon of possibilities.

Intersubjective consciousness

Luhmann's theory of social systems as sense-making systems based on communication, can also be said to overlap with Alfred Schutz's phenomenological thinking of intersubjective consciousness of the life world.

References

• Arnoldi, J. (2001) Niklas Luhmann. An Introduction. In: Theory, Culture & Society. Vol. 18, No. 1, pp. 1-13.

• Arnoldi, J (2010). Sense making as communication. Soziale Systeme 16, Heft 1, S. 28-48. Lucius&Lucius. Stuttgart.

link:[ http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=12&ved=0CCcQFjABOAo&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.soziale-systeme.ch%2Fpdf%2FSoSy_01_10_Arnoldi_www.pdf&rct=j&q=phenomenology%20and%20luhmann&ei=LYGcTovBEImc-wbPkdiyBQ&usg=AFQjCNERMnfwnmWtg4y7KVEKtvp_o2tYMg&cad=rja ] viewed on 17/10/2011

• Gren, M. & Zierhofer, W. (2003) The unity of difference: a critical appraisal of Niklas Luhmann’s theory of social systems in the context of corporeality and spatiality. In: Environment and Planning A. Vol. 35, pp. 615-630.

Contributors

• page created by Kolar Aparna--KolarAparna 20:30, 17 October 2011 (CEST)

• links added by Janna Völpel s3015041 JannaVolpel 16:03, 7 May 2012 (CEST)