Abstract
This paper raises questions about the relation between societal crisis and sociological theory. After March 2011, Japan has been severely affected by the East Japan Disasters (earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters). How could and should sociological theory in Japan respond to such crises? To answer this question, this paper relies on the concept of self-description in Niklas Luhmann’s sociological systems theory. This concept implies that all descriptions of society are constructed by society itself. Therefore, the crisis of society is also regarded as one of selfdescription. Based on this idea, this paper seeks to reflect on sociological theories especially those within Japan.
The conclusions are as follows: First, we can understand sociological theory as a part of society that reflects the self-descriptions of that society. Sociology has been created and motivated by the notion that society has been in crisis. If sociological theory said nothing about the crisis of society, it would also be in crisis. The title of this paper implies such double meaning. Second, the lack of sociological theory in society would reflect the crisis of society itself. Therefore, sociological theory should not suggest policies but merely reflect on the self-descriptions of society and seek to further develop sociological theory itself. Additionally, concerning sociological theory within Japan in particular, it should not be closed domestically but be open to the global arena of sociological theory in a manner that goes beyond the simple import and export of ideas.
