Establishing the study of altruism and social solidarity as a recognized field of specialization within sociology would make a major contribution to the discipline and to society at large. In the broadest sense this field focuses on those aspects of personality, society, and culture that benefit the lives of individuals and ennoble social life. This field would directly address the systematic study of these positive phenomena in interpersonal, intergroup, and international relations. Understanding how social relations of varied types can be made more positive in this manner is a most vital task in this historical era.Sociologists have devoted considerable attention to the study of dysfunctional phenomena, such as criminal behavior, racism, sexism, violent ethnic conflicts, and other forms of oppression that threaten societies and deprive individuals of security or their basic rights. In contrast, the discipline has tended to give more limited attention to positive forms of social behavior and organization, such as the study of altruism. The current Guide to Graduate Departments of Sociology (2006) indicates there is no graduate degree-granting university that lists a special program in the study of altruism.It is the discipline of psychology that established altruism as a scientific field within social psychology. Recent years have seen major contributions to this field by evolutionary biology on the one hand, and religious studies on the other. Contributions by sociologists appear limited to writings by particular individuals. A review of recent research from a sociological perspective is provided by Piliavin and Charng (1990).This article advances a proposal of foundational ideas for sociology to become a full partner with other disciplines in the development of this vital but understudied scientific field. Sociology has a body of theory and research, particularly in the areas of socialization, organizations, stratification, institutions, and culture that can be integrated with the existing state of the field and its greater emphasis on individual and psychological factors and levels of analysis. This article is intended to demonstrate that there is a substantial body of Vincent Jeffries is professor of Sociology at California State University, Northridge. Barry V. Johnston has recently retired from a professorship in sociology at

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This paper applies the concept of virtue to an analysis of theory and research pertaining to the altruistic personality. Five primary virtues are considered: temperance, fortitude, justice, charity, prudence. The virtues are presented as the personality structure underlying altruistic motivation and behavior. Available evidence indicating a possible relationship between each of the virtues and altruistic behavior is reviewed. Sorokin's scheme of five dimensions of love is used to analyze the relationship between each of the virtues and altruistic behavior in different social situations. The advantages of viewing the altruistic personality from the perspective of the virtues is discussed.

The paper examines differential attitudes toward the use in war of nuclear weapons among age strata, analyzed from the perspective of political generations. Data for the study came from a probability sample of 477 adults living in a metropolitan area. On the basis of historical events and the differing climates of public opinion pertaining to war, three political generations are discriminated: Dissent (those born 1943–1949), Cold War (those born 1927–1942), and World War II (those born before 1927). Results suggest the viability of political generations thus defined. The generation of Dissent is most likely to reject nuclear war, while those of the generation of World War II are most likely to accept nuclear warfare. The basic relationship between age and attitudes toward nuclear war is examined within the context of occupation, sex, fear of communism, and patriotism.