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Pareto, Parsons, and the Boundary Between Economics and Sociology

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  • Paul Dalziel
  • Jane Higgins

Abstract

. Recent discussions of the separation bUniversity of Bremenetween economics and sociology in the United States highlight the way Talcott Parsons used Vilfredo Pareto's Trattato di Sociologia Generale to propose that economics study logical actions and sociology study nonlogical actions. This article argues instead that in Pareto's treatise: (1) sociology is a synthetic discipline concerned with the study of human society in general; (2) human behavior is nearly always logical from a subjective point of view; and (3) sociology studies both logical and nonlogical behavior judged from an objective viewpoint. Thus, Pareto is an important intellectual ancestor for economic sociology.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul Dalziel & Jane Higgins, 2006. "Pareto, Parsons, and the Boundary Between Economics and Sociology," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 65(1), pages 109-126, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ajecsc:v:65:y:2006:i:1:p:109-126
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1536-7150.2006.00444.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    10. Philippe Steiner, 1995. "Vilfredo Pareto et le protectionnisme : l'économie politique appliquée, la sociologie générale et quelques paradoxes," Revue Économique, Programme National Persée, vol. 46(5), pages 1241-1262.
    11. Talcott Parsons, 1935. "Sociological Elements in Economic Thought: II. The Analytical Factor View," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 49(4), pages 646-667.
    12. Ingham, Geoffrey, 1996. "Some Recent Changes in the Relationship between Economics and Sociology," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 20(2), pages 243-275, March.
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    1. Michael McLure & Rogério Arthmar, 2024. "Vilfredo Pareto’s Sociologia in relation to Adam Smith’s the theory of moral sentiments," International Review of Economics, Springer;Happiness Economics and Interpersonal Relations (HEIRS), vol. 71(3), pages 491-506, September.

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