Luhmann's Modernity Theory And Inspirition

Luhmann's system theory is the theory product to analysis modern society and it is a modern theory, the questions which concentrates on are modern society system characteristics. Luhmann's system theory of"autopoiesis,self-reference"realizes model transformation of system theory. Luhmann not only absorbed and transformed Parsons's structure-function system theory but also was influenced deeply by Husserl's Phenomenology. At the same time he also adopted something of other disciplines about system . His"Observations on Modernity"is based on above theory. Though his theory is obscure, his difficult reconsidering is helpful to keep us follow the footsteps of society theory in time and to deal with the extreme complex society world which we live. In addition, in China the question on modernity is generally paid attention. I think that Luhmann's observations on modernity can provide us the model.I first trace the origin of Luhmann's modernity theory, then elaborate the basic content of his modernity theory, that is, description of modern society such as differentiation,contingency,risk,complexity. Because his observations on modern society embody his peculiar observation angle of view and method, I further introduce his methods such as second-order observation,epistemology of constructlism,simplification. In addition, I try to give prominence to Luhmann's single view on modernity by contrasting the conflicts between Luhmann and Habermas on modernity. Although so, Luhmann's theory is not perfect, because it has some flaws according to realistic society. At last, my article falls the foot in inspiration significance to modern China which Luhmann's modernity theory brings.