Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to implement the idea of the sphere on systems theory (type: Niklas Luhmann) and to test whether this theory can be used to gain a sharper approach to the complex of ideas of the sphere. The main theme is “the conceptual blurriness of the word sphere.” This essay analyzes the societal and historical semantics of the concept of sphere and nearby notions in the thought traditions in medieval society until the modern, i.e. the functionally differentiated society. Nearby notions as limitationality and boundary are discussed, as well as sphere as a “lexicalized metaphor.” At the end, the paper turns to the concept of sphere in modern society that is based on the distinction “public/private” and applies the discussion to the system of mass media.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper can be classified as a “conceptual essay” that draws on basic systems theoretical concepts.

Findings

The result of the theoretical considerations is that the word “sphere” represents nothing more than a “catchword” and can hardly lay the groundwork for empirical and theoretical research that would be instructive with regard to the new media and their massive influence on society.

Originality/value

This paper was researched and written solely by the author. All sources are clearly identified.

中文翻译：

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飘浮球体：无所事事

目的

本文的目的是在系统理论（类型：Niklas Luhmann）上实现球体的思想，并测试该理论是否可用于获得对球体思想复杂性的更清晰的方法。主题是“领域这个词的概念模糊”。本文分析了中世纪社会直到现代，即功能分化社会的思想传统中的领域概念及其附近概念的社会和历史语义。讨论了附近的限制和边界概念，以及作为“词汇化隐喻”的领域。最后，本文转向现代社会中基于“公共/私人”区分的领域概念，并将讨论应用于大众传媒系统。

设计/方法/方法

这篇论文可以归类为借鉴基本系统理论概念的“概念论文”。

发现

理论考量的结果是，“领域”一词只不过是一个“流行语”，很难为对新媒体及其对社会的巨大影响具有指导意义的实证和理论研究奠定基础。

原创性/价值

本文由作者独自研究和撰写。所有来源都清楚地确定。