Lack of latent function?

For Merton, there always seems to be a manifest and latent function for every institution, action, etc. and I am curious on whether there is anything that doesn't necessarily have a latent function?

This is a great question actually because when you think about latent functions, Merton is suggesting that it is always present. I can't think of any examples of a situation where one couldn't find a latent function. Originally I considered the idea of doing something for yourself but even the idea of doing something for yourself would carry on into how society sees you as a person. In our society, we build ourselves off of those social connections and we continue to evolve through meeting those needs and connecting with others, so I don't think there is much in society that functions as an isolated manifest function.

I do agree with you that even situations in which a person is acting in their own self interest, that action plays into the greater role of how that individual is perceived by society. It is hard to pinpoint the latent functions of every event or institution though, because Merton argues that latent functions are often unintended and unforeseen consequences. Many of which aren't even known until the latent consequences are causing a disruption in the cohesions of social structure.  

So these latent functions do exist everywhere, but not necessarily because they play into how society views the person, but because each action has (whether it be predictable or unpredictable/unnoticed) a consequence.

I do agree with you that even situations in which a person is acting in their own self interest, that action plays into the greater role of how that individual is perceived by society. It is hard to pinpoint the latent functions of every event or institution though, because Merton argues that latent functions are often unintended and unforeseen consequences. Many of which aren't even known until the latent consequences are causing a disruption in the cohesions of social structure.  

So these latent functions do exist everywhere, but not necessarily because they play into how society views the person, but because each action has (whether it be predictable or unpredictable/unnoticed) a consequence.

I agree with Kristy. I think that every person subliminally and unconsciously carries out actions dependent on their personal situations and how it will affect them, even if it's primarily for the benefit of somebody else or a greater end goal. People don't tend to carry out actions that don't intrinsically affect or benefit them, every individual first outweighs the pros and cons to their actions. To conquer with Merton, it creates this idea that the manifest functions always exist. These manifest functions then inherently affect the solidarity of the social sphere by influencing what happens inside it, creating latent functions that affect society as a whole. These latent functions, much like the manifest functions, always exist. This is due to everything people do individually creating a lasting effect or change on what happens within a group of people or a society. It's impossible for an individual to do something without it affecting other people. Every action has a consequence.

I agree, this is an interesting question as Merton's explanation of manifest and latent functions leads people to think that there must be latent functions behind all social behavior. I also cannot think of any social actions that do not carry latent functions. This is because individuals shape and are shaped by society; thus, I do not think it possible to carry out social action without affecting other people or the structures within society in some way.