Abstract
Luhmann (1927-1998) was a German sociologist, systems theorist, and philosopher. He developed a functionalist-oriented systems theory to describe social phenomena using a consistent theoretical language. His theory posits that social systems are autonomous communication contexts, categorized as interaction, organization, and society. Modern society, in his view, is a global society differentiated into autonomous functional areas like politics and law, which cannot be centrally coordinated. Luhmann studied law and was influenced by Talcott Parsons at Harvard, though he later developed his own rival approach. He held professorships at various German universities, culminating in a long tenure at the University of Bielefeld. His magnum opus, The Society of Society (1997), describes segmented societies. Luhmann’s prolific work, including his influential autopoietic theory of law, has a significant following in German sociology and beyond, though its complexity poses translation challenges. He debated Habermas and is associated with grand theory and complexity theory, defining social systems as recursive communication rather than action.