Abstract
This paper describes two broader tendencies about the sociological problem of action’s meaning. They can be better explained using two intuitive metaphors. The first one is “the mind like a computer”, and the second one is “the world like a text”. The paper shows, in a general approach, the basic postulates of each tendency and their main ontological, epistemological and methodological weaknesses. Then, it will show the implicit convergences, illustrated with three main theoretical flaws: dualism, atomism, and holism. The paper stresses the importance of interdisciplinary research, including the so-called biosocial sciences, to override these flaws.
Action’s meaning; Rational choice theory; Hermeneutic; Interdisciplinary research; Dualism; Atomism; Holism