Representations of society: from modernity to post-modernity

Abstract

Transit from modern representations of Society to the so-called post-modern can be described as ambivalent effect of an increasing social distinction. On the one hand, beyond the old-fashioned character of certain sociological paradigms, the aforementioned distinction opens the questions about the possible participation of Society. However, on the other hand, it excludes the main relational dimension. A good sample ot this process is Luhmannian systemic functionalism. In this paradigm social element is nothing but communication. Nevertheless, spaces keep on existing that can allow recovering the concrete feature of social relationships and basically protect its human sense.