by Kaufmann
[Social Research Volume 14, Number 3 Front Matter]: The table of contents and editorial information for the September 1947 issue of Social Research (Volume 14, Number 3). It lists articles on Toynbee, the 'Ivory Tower', political education, public corporations, small business, and a tribute to Karl Mannheim, along with the editorial board members including Leo Strauss and Alvin Johnson. [Toynbee and the Decline of Western Civilization: Introduction]: Theodore A. Sumberg introduces Arnold J. Toynbee's 'A Study of History', contrasting the modern pessimism following Hiroshima with the older idea of inevitable progress. He outlines Toynbee's conclusion that Western civilization faces a potential breakdown and notes the study's comprehensive scheme of world history and its prescription for averting disaster. [Toynbee's Units of Study and the Rhythm of Civilization]: An analysis of Toynbee's methodology, focusing on his use of individual civilizations as units of study rather than states. The segment explores Toynbee's rejection of deterministic hypotheses in favor of human freedom and the 'challenge and response' rhythm. It distinguishes between the 'growth' phase, characterized by differentiation and self-determination, and the 'disintegration' phase, characterized by standardization and unsuccessful responses to environmental challenges. [The Disintegration of the West: Rout and Rally]: Sumberg examines Toynbee's assessment of the contemporary West, identifying a rhythm of 'rout and rally' that indicates disintegration. The historical timeline includes the wars of religion and nationality, with the current era marked by a fear of total war and a potential drift toward a forced 'universal peace' or imperial order similar to the Roman Empire. [The Four Periods of Western History and the Fall of the Papacy]: Toynbee's revised chronology of Western history is presented in four periods, from the post-Hellenic Christian survivors to the contemporary era of industrialized warfare. A critical turning point is identified in 1045, when the Papacy's turn toward secular arms began its spiritual undoing. The segment argues that the modern worship of the national state is a form of idolatry leading to destruction, which can only be averted by a return to a 'civitas dei'. [History as a Christian Critique: The Two Theories of Toynbee]: Sumberg critiques Toynbee for maintaining two conflicting theories of history: a naturalistic 'Greek tragedy' view and a traditional Christian eschatological view. He argues that Toynbee eventually prioritizes the Christian Church as the ultimate goal and heir of all civilizations. This shift transforms history into a moral lesson or catechism of errors, positioning Toynbee as a modern-day Augustine who views the past as a warning for the West to recapture its religious heritage. [The Limits of Prophetic History and the Naturalistic Alternative]: This segment discusses the tension between Toynbee's claim to empirical historical method and his eventual lapse into apocalyptic prediction. Sumberg compares Toynbee's 'personal Utopia' to those of Marx and Comte, suggesting that such teleological views are enemies of true historical insight. He advocates for a naturalistic approach to history that avoids 'pat' outcomes and faces the possibility of less congenial results without relying on a 'deus ex machina'. [The Practical Difficulties of Religious Renewal]: Sumberg questions the practical application of Toynbee's call for a Christian renewal. He points out the lack of socio-political detail in Toynbee's vision and the potential for new religious conflicts. The segment critiques Toynbee's 'Christianity or perish' ultimatum, suggesting that a 'new Enlightenment' based on organized human reason and naturalism offers a more viable path for modern man than a return to traditional religious frameworks. [Observations on the Ivory Tower: Introduction]: Felix Kaufmann begins an examination of the 'ivory tower' metaphor and the public's ambivalent attitude toward scientific detachment. He notes how the political involvement of atomic scientists challenged the stereotype of the isolated researcher. Kaufmann argues that while some criticisms of scientific detachment are sound, others are based on unfounded moral censure, and he proposes to analyze the specific shortcomings often imputed to the scientist's withdrawal from social concerns. [The Practical Significance of Scientific Abstraction]: Kaufmann examines the critique that scientific detachment and abstraction hinder practical application. He distinguishes between three types of abstraction: generalization (finding invariants), idealization (postulating the absence of factors, like Galileo's vacuum), and medacy (mathematical constructs vs. immediate experience). He argues that social sciences' perceived failure is not due to detachment but a lack of proper theoretical organization and methodological testing. He also warns against 'sugar-coating' complex theories like relativity with misleading popular metaphors. [An Experiment in Political Education: PW Schools in the US]: Henry W. Ehrmann describes the U.S. War Department's program to re-orient German prisoners of war toward democracy. The program focused on selected non-Nazi prisoners, aiming to awaken political responsibility and initiative while debunking the myth that democracy is 'un-German.' Ehrmann analyzes the psychological state of the prisoners, their initial lack of responsibility for Nazi crimes, and the pedagogical methods used to foster tolerance and parliamentary procedure through the study of German and American history. [British Use of Public Corporations]: Arthur D. Angel analyzes the British Labor government's post-1945 nationalization program through the lens of the public corporation. He details the structure and financing of the Bank of England, the National Coal Board, the British Transport Commission, and the British Electricity Authority. The essay discusses the balance between ministerial control and corporate flexibility, the use of nonvoting debenture stock for compensation, and the challenges of modernizing obsolete infrastructure while maintaining democratic accountability through consultative committees. [Small Business as a Social Institution]: Kurt Mayer argues that while the aggregate number of small businesses remains stable, the social and functional independence of the individual small businessman is declining. He distinguishes between economic survival (which is high for the group but low for the individual firm) and social status. Mayer posits that small business is being subordinated to big business through price leadership, exclusive contracts (e.g., auto dealers), and national branding, transforming the 'independent' entrepreneur into a functional appendage of large-scale industrial systems. [In Memoriam: Karl Mannheim (1893-1947)]: Albert Salomon provides a comprehensive intellectual biography and critique of Karl Mannheim. He traces Mannheim's development from Hungarian Marxism and Lukács' influence to his synthesis of Max Weber's historicism into the 'sociology of knowledge.' Salomon outlines Mannheim's systematic classification of sociology (general, comparative, structural) and his later focus in England on 'planning for freedom.' The essay concludes with a critique of 'sociologism'—the tendency to reduce spiritual and religious phenomena to social functions. [Correspondence and Book Reviews]: A collection of academic correspondence and book reviews. Karl Loewenstein comments on the failures of German denazification, arguing that the lack of spontaneous revolutionary justice necessitated bureaucratic procedures. Reviews include: 'Measuring Business Cycles' by Burns and Mitchell (critiqued for its empiricist lack of theoretical framework); Elsas on German price history; Salin and Rüstow on the history of economic thought and the religious roots of liberalism; Valentin on the German people; and Ehrmann on French labor history.
The table of contents and editorial information for the September 1947 issue of Social Research (Volume 14, Number 3). It lists articles on Toynbee, the 'Ivory Tower', political education, public corporations, small business, and a tribute to Karl Mannheim, along with the editorial board members including Leo Strauss and Alvin Johnson.
Read full textTheodore A. Sumberg introduces Arnold J. Toynbee's 'A Study of History', contrasting the modern pessimism following Hiroshima with the older idea of inevitable progress. He outlines Toynbee's conclusion that Western civilization faces a potential breakdown and notes the study's comprehensive scheme of world history and its prescription for averting disaster.
Read full textAn analysis of Toynbee's methodology, focusing on his use of individual civilizations as units of study rather than states. The segment explores Toynbee's rejection of deterministic hypotheses in favor of human freedom and the 'challenge and response' rhythm. It distinguishes between the 'growth' phase, characterized by differentiation and self-determination, and the 'disintegration' phase, characterized by standardization and unsuccessful responses to environmental challenges.
Read full textSumberg examines Toynbee's assessment of the contemporary West, identifying a rhythm of 'rout and rally' that indicates disintegration. The historical timeline includes the wars of religion and nationality, with the current era marked by a fear of total war and a potential drift toward a forced 'universal peace' or imperial order similar to the Roman Empire.
Read full textToynbee's revised chronology of Western history is presented in four periods, from the post-Hellenic Christian survivors to the contemporary era of industrialized warfare. A critical turning point is identified in 1045, when the Papacy's turn toward secular arms began its spiritual undoing. The segment argues that the modern worship of the national state is a form of idolatry leading to destruction, which can only be averted by a return to a 'civitas dei'.
Read full textSumberg critiques Toynbee for maintaining two conflicting theories of history: a naturalistic 'Greek tragedy' view and a traditional Christian eschatological view. He argues that Toynbee eventually prioritizes the Christian Church as the ultimate goal and heir of all civilizations. This shift transforms history into a moral lesson or catechism of errors, positioning Toynbee as a modern-day Augustine who views the past as a warning for the West to recapture its religious heritage.
Read full textThis segment discusses the tension between Toynbee's claim to empirical historical method and his eventual lapse into apocalyptic prediction. Sumberg compares Toynbee's 'personal Utopia' to those of Marx and Comte, suggesting that such teleological views are enemies of true historical insight. He advocates for a naturalistic approach to history that avoids 'pat' outcomes and faces the possibility of less congenial results without relying on a 'deus ex machina'.
Read full textSumberg questions the practical application of Toynbee's call for a Christian renewal. He points out the lack of socio-political detail in Toynbee's vision and the potential for new religious conflicts. The segment critiques Toynbee's 'Christianity or perish' ultimatum, suggesting that a 'new Enlightenment' based on organized human reason and naturalism offers a more viable path for modern man than a return to traditional religious frameworks.
Read full textFelix Kaufmann begins an examination of the 'ivory tower' metaphor and the public's ambivalent attitude toward scientific detachment. He notes how the political involvement of atomic scientists challenged the stereotype of the isolated researcher. Kaufmann argues that while some criticisms of scientific detachment are sound, others are based on unfounded moral censure, and he proposes to analyze the specific shortcomings often imputed to the scientist's withdrawal from social concerns.
Read full textKaufmann examines the critique that scientific detachment and abstraction hinder practical application. He distinguishes between three types of abstraction: generalization (finding invariants), idealization (postulating the absence of factors, like Galileo's vacuum), and medacy (mathematical constructs vs. immediate experience). He argues that social sciences' perceived failure is not due to detachment but a lack of proper theoretical organization and methodological testing. He also warns against 'sugar-coating' complex theories like relativity with misleading popular metaphors.
Read full textHenry W. Ehrmann describes the U.S. War Department's program to re-orient German prisoners of war toward democracy. The program focused on selected non-Nazi prisoners, aiming to awaken political responsibility and initiative while debunking the myth that democracy is 'un-German.' Ehrmann analyzes the psychological state of the prisoners, their initial lack of responsibility for Nazi crimes, and the pedagogical methods used to foster tolerance and parliamentary procedure through the study of German and American history.
Read full textArthur D. Angel analyzes the British Labor government's post-1945 nationalization program through the lens of the public corporation. He details the structure and financing of the Bank of England, the National Coal Board, the British Transport Commission, and the British Electricity Authority. The essay discusses the balance between ministerial control and corporate flexibility, the use of nonvoting debenture stock for compensation, and the challenges of modernizing obsolete infrastructure while maintaining democratic accountability through consultative committees.
Read full textKurt Mayer argues that while the aggregate number of small businesses remains stable, the social and functional independence of the individual small businessman is declining. He distinguishes between economic survival (which is high for the group but low for the individual firm) and social status. Mayer posits that small business is being subordinated to big business through price leadership, exclusive contracts (e.g., auto dealers), and national branding, transforming the 'independent' entrepreneur into a functional appendage of large-scale industrial systems.
Read full textAlbert Salomon provides a comprehensive intellectual biography and critique of Karl Mannheim. He traces Mannheim's development from Hungarian Marxism and Lukács' influence to his synthesis of Max Weber's historicism into the 'sociology of knowledge.' Salomon outlines Mannheim's systematic classification of sociology (general, comparative, structural) and his later focus in England on 'planning for freedom.' The essay concludes with a critique of 'sociologism'—the tendency to reduce spiritual and religious phenomena to social functions.
Read full textA collection of academic correspondence and book reviews. Karl Loewenstein comments on the failures of German denazification, arguing that the lack of spontaneous revolutionary justice necessitated bureaucratic procedures. Reviews include: 'Measuring Business Cycles' by Burns and Mitchell (critiqued for its empiricist lack of theoretical framework); Elsas on German price history; Salin and Rüstow on the history of economic thought and the religious roots of liberalism; Valentin on the German people; and Ehrmann on French labor history.
Read full text