Some One-Sided Conceptions of Social Determinism

Abstract

The text is a section of the chapter "causal and functional analysis" from the book "socioloski metod" (beograd, 1965). several one-sided interpretations of social determinism are discussed: the absolutization of a particular determining sphere; the conception of causal relation as exclusively asymmetrical and irreversible; the exaggerated importance ascribed to external factors, whereas self-activity and self-determination are underrated; the lack of understanding of the cumulative nature of many processes in social determinism; mechanical or idealist separation of determinism and teleology; various false conclusions derived from the organismic analogy.