The Talcott Parsons Reader

Introduction: The Contributions of Talcott Parsons to the Study of Modernity.

Part I: Religion and Modern Society:.

1. Christianity and Modern Industrial Society.

2. Belief, Unbelief and Disbelief.

3. Religous Symbolization and Death.

4. The Symbolic Environment of Modern Economies.

Part II: Life, Sex and Death: .

5. Illness and the Role of the Physician.

6. Towards a Healthy Maturity.

7. The Gift of Life and Its Reciprocation.

Part III: Sociological Theory:.

8. The Theoretical Development of the Sociology of Religion.

9. Evolutionary Universals in Society.

10. Pattern Variables Revisited.

Part IV: American Society and the World Order: .

11. Social Strains in America.

12. The Distribution of Power in American Society.

13. Order and Community in the International Social System.

14. Polarization of the World and International Order.

15. Youth in the Context of American Society.

16. Death in American Society.

17. Religion in Post-Industrial America.

Bibliography of Talcott Parsons.

Selected Bibliograpy (in English) on the Sociology of Talcott Parsons.

Chronologyy of the Life of Talcott Parsons.

Index.