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

Abstract

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.

The Islamic perspective on social work: A conceptual framework

“…It indeed took half a century for social and behavioral scientists to seriously call for the adoption of 'integralism' as a remedy for the 'crises' they and others belatedly admitted is plaguing their disciplines. Only recently, for example, Vincent Jeffries (1999) declares that there is growing consensus that these [social] sciences are in a state of crisis … A new and different orientation is clearly needed to provide an answer to this crisis. This can be found in the ideas of Pitirim A. Sorokin … .…”

“…It is worth mentioning here that other colleagues belonging to different religious traditions posed the same question raised above and came -independently -with a comparable general strategy. Jeffries (1999), for example, asked the question this way: 'how to incorporate the idea of the truth of faith as expressed in religious ideas in a manner compatible with a naturalistic conception of science, which is limited to rational and empirical truth …' (pp. 39-40).…”

Contact, communication and compassion as stairways to peace: A holistic sociological perspective

“…In Sorokin's tripartite typology, a sensate society is deeply entrenched in a materialistic perspective, which socializes into the collective perception of individualism and "rational choice". It organizes reality through an empirical principle of truth that is revealed through the senses (Jeffries, 1999). Human needs are here considered to be physical and satisfied by developing the environment.…”