52740. THE SCIENTIFIC BASIS OF FUNCTIONALISM. An examination of the philosophical contradictions inherent in the theory of functionalism. The essay argues against the validity of the conclusions of Kingsley Davis in his article, "The Myth of Functional Analysis as a Special Method in Sociology and Anthropology." A thorough analysis of the teleological and scientific basis of functionalism in the social sciences, with a discussion of its methodology included. 17 pages, 7 footnotes, 18 bibliographic sources.