Dr. Edward A. Tiryakian. Updating Sorokin
EDWARD A. TIRYAKIAN. Updating Sorokin. Introduction to Sociological Theory, Values, and Sociocultural Change. Essays in honor of Pitirim A. Sorokin. Transaction Publishers. New Brunswick (USA) and London (UK), 2013.
A new edition of the "Sociocultural Theory, Values, and Sociocultural Change: Essays in Honor of Pitirim Sorokin", originally published in 1963, was issued in 2013 with an introduction by Professor Edward A. Tiryakian, who is also a member of the Foundation's Advisory Board. Professor Tiryakian overviews current trends in sociology, where Pitirim Sorokin's theoretical and research ideas become an important resource for developing new fields of the discipline.
Updating Sorokin
Nearly half a century has passed since the original publication of this volume of essays intended as a festschrift in honor of one of the most important figures of twentieth-century sociology. This reissue will provide today's readers a benchmark on salient theorizing in the post-World War II era prepared as a tribute to its recipient, Pitirim Alexandrovich Sorokin (1889-1968), who had undergone benign neglect by the profession. In addition, I will provide an update on Sorokin's resurrected stature in the profession since 1963. In doing so, the core argument is that Sorokin's contributions to sociology have as much to offer today as that of any figure in the sociological pantheon. The title of the volume reflects three interrelated areas of concern to Sorokin in his voluminous productivity, areas which are diffused throughout sociology then and now. Responding to the temerity of a then young assistant professor, senior sociologists readily accepted to prepare an original contribution for the festschrift. Those broad areas are the starting point for several essays, by Marion J. Levy, Jr. ("Some Problems for a Unified Theory of Human Nature"), Charles Loomis ("Social Change and Social Systems"), and Florence Kluckhohn ("Some Reflections on the Nature of Cultural Integration"). Additionally, the contributors include two who, before the volume's publication, had already served as president of the American Sociological Association (Talcott Parsons in 1949 and Robert Merton, 1957), while two would succeed Sorokin in that capacity (Wilbert Moore in 1966I and Charles Loomis in 1967).
This is not the occasion to summarize the contents, which was already done in the original, nor to provide biographical data either about the contributors or about Sorokin himself, especially since regarding the latter there is available his autobiographies, his wife Elena's account, and Barry Johnston's definitive biography.[1] In addition, there have also appeared various important expositions and analyses of Sorokin's theoretical and substantive works, which constitute an important secondary literature.[2] However, for a greater appreciation of the changing professions' regard for Sorokin, it might be well to consider an evolving context of Sorokin's situation since the early 1960s. As one who gave a major place to the dynamics of change in his theorizing, his own situation – during and after his death – is replete with cyclical change in terms of his relevance and appreciation.
