Dockendorff, C. 2013. Antihumanismo o autonomía del individuo ante las estructuras sociales: La relación individuo-sociedad en la teoría de Niklas Luhmann Cinta moebio 48: 158-173

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Anti-humanism or autonomy of the individual vis-a-vis social structures: The individual-society relationship in Niklas Luhmann’s theory

Dra. Cecilia Dockendorff (cdocken@soles.cl) Instituto de Estudios Avanzados, Universidad de Santiago (Santiago, Chile)

Abstract

The individual-society relationship remains a central issue in the social sciences which has not yet reached a consensual explanation. This article presents the way in which Niklas Luhmann’s theory of social systems deals with the subject. I discuss some of the critical approaches this theory has arises. Then I present social system’s concepts and partial theories that describe the individual-society relationship. I conclude with some reflections about what we consider to be “theoretical advantages” regarding Luhmann’s theory vis-a-vis common explanations in sociology. This, because in Luhmann’s theory of social systems –contrary to critical judgments-, individuals are theoretically placed in society’s environment, thus maintaining a relative autonomy which allows them to consider without idealism their actual possibilities to influence society.

Key words: sociology, individual, systems theory, Luhmann, humanism