functional rationality

views updated Jun 11 2018

functional rationality A concept originating in the work of Max Weber and used by Jürgen Habermas in his development of Parsonsian social theory. It refers to the rationality of the social system, developing by differentiation and reintegration through the media of money and power, and now ‘colonizing’ the rationality of the ‘life-world’ of interpersonal relationships. See also CRITICAL THEORY; PARSONS, TALCOTT.

rationality, functional

views updated Jun 08 2018

rationality, functional See FUNCTIONAL RATIONALITY.