A gloss is a total system of perception and language.

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Spencer's god was Evolution, sometimes also called Progress.

quote by Talcott Parsons
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The part an actor played on stage was once written on a separate roll of paper.

quote by Talcott Parsons
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Empirical interest will be in the facts so far as they are relevant to the solution of these problems.

quote by Talcott Parsons
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The importance of certain problems concerning the facts will be inherent in the structure of the system.

quote by Talcott Parsons
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Theory not only formulates what we know but also tells us what we want to know, that is, the questions to which an answer is needed.

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But the scientific importance of a change in knowledge of fact consists precisely in j its having consequences for a system of theory.

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If observed facts of undoubted accuracy will not fit any of the alternatives it leaves open, the system itself is in need of reconstruction.

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Thus, in general, in the first instance, the direction of interest in empirical fact will be canalised by the logical structure of the theoretical system.

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Now obviously the propositions of the system have reference to matters of empirical fact; if they did not, they could have no claim to be called scientific.

quote by Talcott Parsons
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