Science, politics, and moral activism: Sorokin's integralism reconsidered

Nichols, Lawrence T.

doi:10.1002/(sici)1520-6696(199921)35:2<139::aid-jhsb2>3.0.co;2-v

Cited by 15 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…He had the opportunity to be a direct participant in the events that would be the turning point in Russian history, his opinions on which were being reflected in the columns he wrote for the political daily newspaper Volya Naroda (The People’s Will) under the heading ‘The notes of a sociologist’ (Sorokin, 2000b). These writings ‘provided commentary on the unfolding political process and may be understood as an effort to bridge the gap between science and moral activism, that is, to unify the true and the good’ (Nichols, 1999: 139–55; 2001: 14). In 1917 Sorokin greeted the February Revolution for its overthrow of Czarism, but he criticized the October Revolution because of its radical programmes and actions.…”

Section: The Russian Period (1889–1922)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Pitirim A Sorokin: The interconnection between his life and scientific work

Ponomareva

2011

International Sociology

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This article discusses the relationship between two periods of Pitirim A Sorokin’s life, career and scientific work: the Russian period (till 1922) and the American (1923–68). The main sociological problems of both periods are considered in the article, including: social behaviour, the positivistic system of sociology and famine (as the key problems of his Russian period) and revolution, social stratification, social mobility, social and cultural dynamics and altruistic love (as the key problems of his American period). The important point in the discussion is that the Russian period is a prototype of the American one rather than its polar opposite; and therefore that the concepts that characterize Sorokin’s American period are the development of his ideas that had emerged while he was still in Russia.

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Section: The Russian Period (1889–1922)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Pitirim A Sorokin: The interconnection between his life and scientific work

Ponomareva

2011

International Sociology

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“…Analyses of Sorokin's work by Ford (1963;), Johnston (19951996:166-220;1998), andNichols (1999) agree that integralism is the foundation of his epistemology, his theory of culture types and change, and his later analysis of altruism and personal and social reconstruction. The basic characteristics of a paradigm which could be called "integral" (Sorokin 1960) in accordance with Sorokin's ideas can be derived from his writings.…”

Section: Sorokin's Integralismmentioning

confidence: 99%

The integral paradigm: The truth of faith and the social sciences

Jeffries

1999

Am Soc

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This article proposes a paradigm for the social sciences derived from Pitirim A. Sorokin's writings about Integralism. His conception of a three-component system of truth and knowledge which includes the senses, reason, and faith is the foundation of this integral perspective. The paradigm entails the incorporation of religious-ethical ideas within the established frame of reference of the social sciences. The consensus among several world religions that some version of the Golden Rule is the most fundamental ethical principle, and the idea of individual transformation involving the realization of this principle, are advanced as the foundation for integral social science. The virtues, the vices and the Ten Commandments are presented as more specific schemes which articulate the positive and negative precepts associated with the Golden Rule. The incorporation of these religious-ethical ideas in value premises, existing paradigms and theories, special fields, and empirical research is considered. Integralism is proposed as a solution to the current crisis of fragmentation and anomie in the social sciences.Sociology is fragmented and lacks direction. Its scientific, practical, and reform potential has not been realized. Similar conditions exist in the other social sciences. In fact, there is growing consensus that these sciences are in a state of crisis. This crisis can be explored by considering representative views of its nature.In a detailed analysis Horowitz (1994:1-51) states that the scientific integrity of sociology is beset by problems of ideological advocacy and radical subjectivism. The activity of discontented individuals who self-righteously pursue specialized ideological and social agendas has led to the obliteration of a consensual distinction between scholarship and partisanship. This trend is further enhanced by an epistemology of radical subjectivism. The underlying assumption of science that the reasoned analysis of a potentially knowable reality is possible is rejected. The end result of these trends is an alliance of revolutionaries and subjectivists in their discontent with the existing social order. A comparable analysis is given by Lipset (1994) who contrasts sociology prior to and after the 1960s. In the earlier period, great effort and creativity was manifested based on the firm belief that a scientific sociology could be created. Basic theory and research were considered a necessary prerequisite for social reform.

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“…Nichols (2005) has noted various parallels between positive psychology and Sorokin's integral perspective, including his study of altruistic love. Both emphasize ideas such as a social science that studies the positive, a pervasive sociocultural crisis, the idea of universal standards of goodness such as altruistic love and the virtues, transcendence, and the value of the human person.…”

Section: Virtues and Character Strengthsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sorokin's writings contain a detailed and diverse program of applied sociology directed toward the increase of altruism (Johnston, 1998;Nichols, 1999;Weinstein, 2000). In a detailed theoretical statement of general policy Sorokin (1948) maintains that reconstruction toward altruistic love must include fundamental change in individual personalities, society, and culture.…”

Section: The Policy Perspectivementioning

confidence: 99%

Altruism and social solidarity: Envisioning a field of specialization

Jeffries

Johnston

Nichols

et al. 2006

Am Soc

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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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Science, politics, and moral activism: Sorokin's integralism reconsidered

Cited by 15 publications

References 17 publications

Pitirim A Sorokin: The interconnection between his life and scientific work

Pitirim A Sorokin: The interconnection between his life and scientific work

The integral paradigm: The truth of faith and the social sciences

Altruism and social solidarity: Envisioning a field of specialization

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