A Self-referential System World Without The Subject

Niklas Luhmann constructs Social System Theory, used to describe the uniquecharacteristics of modern society. So, if we want to comprehend Social System Theory, wemust first understand Luhamm’s understanding of “Modernity”. Social System Theory makesa new interpretation about modern society, which is quite different from the classicalsociological theory, and gets the “Identity” which is based on the “Differences”. Embarksfrom the area of making distinction, the new theory uses “Communication” instead of“action” as the basic unit of analysis, to explain the relationship between the social systemand its functional systems and the operating process. Besides, taking into account the twoprominent features of modern society——a high degree of complexity and a greatcontingency, Lumann has to reinterpretation the concept of “Meaning Structure” before toconduct the theoretical construct. By putting the time dimension into the dimension ofmeaning, the interpretability of possibility of “Meaning Structure” reaches maximization,thus humans’ understanding of the experiential world can be kept in a predictable andcontrollable level. As a reflection system relying on self-referential, social systems couldcomplete their differentiation and evolution via the reflective ability. Therefore, theproduction and reproduction of social order can be interpreted through a self-referential andself-referential mode. The world is under the influence of inevitable double contingency.Although the achieve of communication is highly unlikely, communication is still an effectiveway to product and abate the redundant information of systems at the same time, and makesome of the possibilities become constant experiences by the fixed of Meaning Structure.Six parts are included in this thesis. Part one introduces three connotations of modernityand Lumann’s unique understanding about it, as well as introduces the literature and researchframework. Part two analyzes three theoretical basis of Social System Theory——meaning,functions, systems, including their theoretical origin and Luhmann’s formulation. The thirdpart analyzes two core concepts of Social System Theory——“communication” and “socialsystems”, and their connotations and associations; besides, this part also discusses how social systems complete reflection and self-referential via communication. Part IV responses to twocriticism about Social System Theory——technocratic and anti-anthropocentrism, anddiscusses Lumann’s unique humane care for the future of modern society by expanding ananalysis of the “Trust”. The fifth part discusses Luhmann’s logical thinking in modernitydefault, and the sense and regret of Social System Theory in both theoretical and practical.The last part of this article is conclusions and discussion.