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Loading... The Crisis of Our Age (Archive) (edition 1992)by Pitirim A. Sorokin (Author)
Work InformationThe Crisis of Our Age by Pitirim Sorokin
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Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. One of the classics of sociology, this is more or less a condensation of his larger 'Social and Cultural Dynamics'. An interesting investigation into ideation and sensate culture, and the pros and cons of each. Limited ideational culture leads to flowering idealistic culture which decays into a nonproductive sensate culture, where a reformation returns to ideational culture again. He discusses the histories of culture and how these patterns appear through them. Not too long a read and it does get a little repetitive towards the end (perhaps it could have been shorter) but still a worthy read. no reviews | add a review
This is an analysis of the nature, causes and consequences of the crisis of modern society. Professor Sorokin asserts that the whole of modern culture is undergoing a period of transition brought on by the struggle between the forces of the largely outworn materialistic order and the emerging, creative forces of a new idealistic order. On the outcome of this struggle, the author contends, rests the progress and survival of mankind. No library descriptions found. |
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The answer in his opinion is a return to the true values of a higher religious (he calls it "ideational") life, with man finding a new equilibrium as a noble creation in the image of God (s).
He strangely overlooks the fact that the Fascists and Communists were also claiming to represent higher noble ideals and were equally hard on "decadent" ideas.
In the event, post WW2 western democracy was strengthened so his analysis is simply wrong.
A much more perceptive look at the fragmentation of modern society can be found in Jane Jacobs great book "Systems of Survival", showing the need for both "commercials" (flexible adaptives) and "guardians" (structure protectors) - not all of one or all of the other. ( )