FUNCTION AND SOCIETY - CONTINUING PROBLEM S DESPITE PARADIGMATIC CHANGE IN THE SYSTEM-THEORY OF LUHMANN,NIKLAS

The autopoietic paradigmatic change in system theory has received cons iderable attention in the sociological literature. As a result the con stant problems and questions of system theory have been forgotten. Luh mann continues to stand in the tradition of functionalism. This articl e puts the problems connected with the pair of terms ''function'' and ''society'' in Luhmann's theory at the center of attention. Is he able to offer an analytically useful conception of society? This question is important for the whole of the topic of functional differentiation. But neither in his early nor in his later works does Luhmann present a clear analytical conception of the term ''society''. As a result, wh at functional differentiation means remains vague and open: in relatio n to which unity do the partial systems fulfill their function? Of wha t are they a part? No way leads either from the system of society to t he partial systems or from the partial systems to the system of societ y. Wherever Luhmann can say something definite and concrete about func tional relations, he falls back on ideas of action theory In doing thi s the terms functional systems and system of society lose their meanin g.