Pitirim Sorokin
Russian-American sociologist who theorized cultural cycles and the importance of altruistic love in society.
Most quoted
"Our age is not an age of peace, but an age of wars, revolutions, and social upheavals. It is an age of transition, an age of crisis, an age of disintegration of old values and the emergence of new ones."
— from Social and Cultural Dynamics, 1937
"The main task of sociology is to discover the universal and enduring principles of social life, to understand the forces that shape human societies, and to predict their future development."
— from Contemporary Sociological Theories, 1928
"Sociology, like any science, must be based on rigorous empirical research and logical analysis, but it must also be informed by a deep understanding of human nature and the human condition."
— from Contemporary Sociological Theories, 1928
All quotes by Pitirim Sorokin (102)
Knowledge without ethics is a dangerous tool.
The family is the cornerstone of any enduring society.
In times of crisis, the soul seeks eternal truths.
Materialism breeds discontent; spirituality brings peace.
Social change is inevitable, but its direction is chosen by man.
The artist reveals the hidden rhythms of culture.
Power corrupts when divorced from moral principles.
Education should foster the integral development of the human being.
The sensate mind measures success by accumulation; the ideational by inner growth.
Revolutions often replace one tyranny with another.
Compassion is the bridge between individuals and society.
Cultural decline is self-inflicted through moral decay.
The pursuit of truth requires humility and courage.
In love, we find the meaning of existence.
Sociology must serve humanity, not just describe it.
The future belongs to those who integrate reason and faith.
Greed devours the soul as fire consumes wood.
True freedom is liberation from one's lower impulses.
The press shapes reality more than it reports it.
Altruism is the antidote to societal ills.
Contemporaries of Pitirim Sorokin
Other Sociologys born within 50 years of Pitirim Sorokin (1889–1968).