The notions of “Heimat” are split up in various rival versions. The author explores the social and personal values of “Heimat”. His thesis: “Heimat” means a concrete position and a concrete time in reference to a persons biography. This notion can support a critical claim against the loss of the biographic roots of “Heimat”.

The author reflects upon the tension between market-economy and modern welfare-state. Against this background he enters into the question on the relation between social ethics and sociological systemtheory. In bis essay the author promotes a twofold perspective: in a critical sensehe examines about the inner normativity of the sociological theory; in a constructive way he makes an normative use of the sociological view. Only in this twofold senseit is possible to discover and develop institutional arrangements, which not only result from (...) the logic of economic rationality but give a link to creative and individual responsibility. (shrink)