The
Effects of Revolution, War, Famine,
Pestilence
Upon Human Mind, Behavior,
Social
Organization and Cultural Life
Pitirim
A. Sorokin
A 2020 Editorial Note:
This is the classic
1942 edition of “Man and Society in
Calamity”, by Pitirim A. Sorokin, E. P. Dutton and Company, Inc., New York,
352 pages.
While reading the book it is useful to remember a few lines
written by a Master of the Eastern Wisdom, or by one of his disciples under his
orders or dictation. Published in the magazine “The Theosophist” in 1883, the words
define the present age:
“We are at the end of a cycle - geological
and other - and at the beginning of another. Cataclysm is to follow cataclysm.
The pent-up forces are bursting out in many quarters; and not only will men be
swallowed up or slain by thousands, ‘new’ land appear and ‘old’ subside,
volcanic eruptions and tidal waves appal; but secrets of an unsuspected past
will be uncovered to the dismay of Western theorists and the humiliation of an
imperious science. This drifting ship, if watched, may be seen to ground upon
the upheaved vestiges of ancient civilizations, and fall to pieces. We are not emulous of the prophet’s honours:
but still, let this stand as a prophecy.” [1]
Sorokin opens the Preface to this 1942 book with
rather similar words, as he refers to the sociological aspect of our deep planetary
change:
“We live and act in an age of great calamities. War
and revolution, famine and pestilence, are again rampant on this planet…”
Born in Russia on 21 January 1889, Pitirim Sorokin
lived up to 1968. When this book was published, he was Doctor of Sociology,
Chairman of the Department of Sociology in Harvard University, and former
president of the International Institute of Sociology.
In “Man and Society in Calamity” he discusses the actual
dynamics of worldwide catastrophes and the way individuals and nations
experience them. His work is a practical tool for people living in a time of rapid
planetary change.
(Carlos Cardoso Aveline)
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Man and Society in Calamity
Pitirim A. Sorokin
PREFACE
We live and act in
an age of great calamities. War and revolution, famine and pestilence, are
again rampant on this planet. Again they exact their deadly toll from suffering
humanity. Again they influence every moment of our existence: our mentality and
behavior, our social life and cultural processes.
NOTE:
[1] “Five Years of Theosophy”, a
book with articles selected from “The Theosophist”, London: Reeves and Turner,
196 Strand, W.C., 1885, 575 pp. See page 388. Original
publication: The Theosophist, November 1883, p. 43.
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The book “Man and Society in Calamity” was
published at the associated websites on 9 March 2020.
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Read more:
“The Five Dimensions of Love”, “Change in the Poles of Our Planet”, “A Global Karmic Fever”, “A Lever to Move the World” and “An Old Celtic Legend of Atlantis”.
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Take a look at the
book “The American Sex Revolution”,
by Pitirim A. Sorokin, and the article “Human Ethics and Earthquakes”,
by Damodar K. Mavalankar.
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Click to see the
list of texts in the section “Planetary Change and The Civilization of the Future”.
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