Relational theory

Relationship theory appears as a term in two sciences: sociology and philosophy, more precisely: philosophical logic.

Sociological relational theory

In the relationship teaching (including relationship Sociology ) is a highly formal oriented direction of sociology . It was founded by Leopold von Wiese , who was influenced by Georg Simmel and his sociological relationism; In contrast to Simmel and the teachings of social processes, von Wiese attempted a methodical concretization of relationship thinking. In 1932 Alfred Vierkandt regarded relational theory as one of the main categories of sociological thought. It was held out of the technical discussion after 1933, although von Wiese had offered himself to the National Socialist rulers with it in 1934, and could not be revived after 1945, although von Wiese made attempts to do so.

Distance and interactions

There are no historical studies at von Wiese; it is all about analyzing interactions between people. Four basic categories of the social are used for this: the social distance , the social process , the social space and the social structure .

The social distance denotes the degree of emotional and spiritual closeness or distance, which is expressed in the visible behavior of people and can be measured.

The social process describes changes in the social distance (changes in distance), constant binding and loosening. These changes in distance determine interpersonal relationships. They take place in the social space that can be described in each case.

Social structures are condensations of relationships, von Wiese also describes them as “human multitudes”: organizations, corporations, institutions. Only their effects, not their structures, are included in the analysis. They are only considered to be "sham substances" which, as an idea, determine the behavior of the people involved.

Changes in distance form the core of relational theory . In terms of social processes , von Wiese distinguishes between basic processes of togetherness, apart and employees, although intermediate forms are also possible. Society can only be understood as a process.

Relationship theory shows clear similarities to sociometry , which Jacob Levy Moreno founded in the 1930s . After 1945, Leopold von Wiese described sociometry as “an empirical research method that corresponds to his relational theory”.

Logical relationship theory

In logic, a distinction is made between internal and external relational teachings, which, according to Ludwig Wittgenstein, both belong to the logical framework of the world and of language.

literature

Leopold von Wiese : General sociology as a study of the relationship conditions of people
- Volume 1: Relationship Theory , Duncker & Humblot, Munich 1924.
- Part 2: Gebildelehre , Duncker & Humblot, Munich 1928.
- Second revised edition in one volume: System of general sociology as the study of social processes and the social structures of people (relationship theory) , Duncker & Humblot, Munich / Leipzig 1933; third, unchanged edition, Duncker & Humblot, Berlin 1955; fourth, unchanged edition, Duncker & Humblot, Berlin 1966.

Individual evidence

↑ Silke van Dyk and Alexandra Schauer: "... that official sociology has failed". On sociology under National Socialism , the history of its coming to terms and the role of the DGS. 2nd Edition. Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden, Wiesbaden 2014, ISBN 978-3-658-06636-9 , p. 47.
↑ The source of the illustration is, unless otherwise stated: Hermann Korte , Introduction to the History of Sociology, 8th, revised edition, VS, Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, Wiesbaden 2006, ISBN 978-3-531-14774-1 , pp. 120ff .
↑ "Von Wiese rejected the concept of structure, because in his opinion there were only processes in social space and in social structures and these would arise on the basis of events." Gertraude Mikl-Horke : Sociology Historical Context and Sociological Theory Drafts , 6 ., revised and expanded edition, Oldenbourg, Munich 2010, ISBN 978-3-486-70243-9 , p. 140.
↑ Andrea Hilgers: Artifact and empirical social research. Genesis and Analysis of Criticism , Duncker and Humblot, Berlin 1997, ISBN 3-428-08279-6 , p. 83. Note 103.

[1] Silke van Dyk and Alexandra Schauer: "... that official sociology has failed". On sociology under National Socialism , the history of its coming to terms and the role of the DGS. 2nd Edition. Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden, Wiesbaden 2014, ISBN 978-3-658-06636-9 , p. 47.

[2] The source of the illustration is, unless otherwise stated: Hermann Korte , Introduction to the History of Sociology, 8th, revised edition, VS, Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, Wiesbaden 2006, ISBN 978-3-531-14774-1 , pp. 120ff .

[3] "Von Wiese rejected the concept of structure, because in his opinion there were only processes in social space and in social structures and these would arise on the basis of events." Gertraude Mikl-Horke : Sociology Historical Context and Sociological Theory Drafts , 6 ., revised and expanded edition, Oldenbourg, Munich 2010, ISBN 978-3-486-70243-9 , p. 140.

[4] Andrea Hilgers: Artifact and empirical social research. Genesis and Analysis of Criticism , Duncker and Humblot, Berlin 1997, ISBN 3-428-08279-6 , p. 83. Note 103.