The hypothesis may be put forward, to be tested by the s subsequent investigation, that this development has been in large part a matter of the reciprocal interaction of new factual insights and knowledge on the one hand with changes in the theoretical system on the other. Talcott Parsons developmentfactualforward share on social
But the scientific importance of a change in knowledge of fact consists precisely in j its having consequences for a system of theory. Talcott Parsons changeconsequenceconsist Change image and share on social
If observed facts of undoubted accuracy will not fit any of the alternatives it leaves open, the system itself is in need of reconstruction. Talcott Parsons accuracyalternativefact Change image and share on social
That is, a system starts with a group of interrelated propositions which involve reference to empirical observations within the logical framework of the propositions in question. Talcott Parsons empiricalframeworkgroup Change image and share on social
But the fact a person denies that he is theorising is no reason for taking him at his word and failing to investigate what implicit theory is involved in his statements. Talcott Parsons denyfactfail Change image and share on social
A theoretical system does not merely state facts which have been observed and that logically deducible relations to other facts which have also been observed. Talcott Parsons deduciblefactlogically Change image and share on social
Of course there may well be particular reasons why Spencer rather than others is dead, as there were also particular reasons why he rather than others made such a stir. Talcott Parsons deadmakereason Change image and share on social
Theory not only formulates what we know but also tells us what we want to know, that is, the questions to which an answer is needed. Talcott Parsons answerformulateneed Change image and share on social
Empirical interest will be in the facts so far as they are relevant to the solution of these problems. Talcott Parsons empiricalfactinterest Change image and share on social
Special emphasis should be laid on this intimate interrelation of general statements about empirical fact with the logical elements and structure of theoretical systems. Talcott Parsons elementemphasisempirical Change image and share on social
