Download Karl Mannheim

Karl Mannheim
Alex Kaufman & Julianne Bacon
Biography
Born in 1893 (Budapest, Austria-Hungary)
Only child in a Jewish middle-class family
Raised in intellectual hub surrounded by great
philosophers, sociologists & scientists.
Married psychologist Julia Lang in 1921
Died in 1947 (London, England)
Education & Early Career
Studied in Berlin, Paris and Heidelberg
PhD in Philosophy from University of Budapest
Left Austria for Germany, but couldn’t find work under a philosopher. Began working
under German sociologist Alfred Weber (Max’s brother) in 1924.
Completed teaching requirements and became full professor of sociology & political
economy at University of Frankfurt in 1930.
Was fired from his position in Frankfurt due to anti-Semitic laws and fled to London,
where he taught at the London School of Economics until 1945.
Intellectual Influences
Georg Lukacs - Fellow member of “Szellemek,” an intellectual group. Karl appreciated
his use of the sociological method and his Marxist view of self-alienation.
G.W.F. Hegel – Influenced Mannheim’s work on historicism. Derived the conception
of history as a structured and dynamic process fro Hegel and Marx.
Georg Simmel - Karl’s teacher for a year in Berlin. Distinction between objective and
subjective culture, and how culture is transmitted to each historical actor.
Positivism – Mannheim also thought society could be studied in the same manner as
the natural world, but unlike strict positivists he was committed to understanding the
meaning of behavior.
Intellectual Influences
Max Weber – Agreed with the concept ofVerstehen; Mannheim
agreed with Weber that human conduct was always meaningful,
even if the actor doesn’t understand why.
Karl Marx – Largest influence on Mannheim’s work. Influenced
by his positivistic methods, agreed that there is correlation
between the economic structure of society and its legal and
political organization, and Marx’s views on historicism.
Contributions
Has been referred to as “German Mannheim” and
“English Mannheim” because his work after moving to
England during WWII abandoned his previous ideas.
Writings Included:
• Rational and Irrational Elements in Contemporary Society (1934)
• Ideology & Utopia (1936)
• Man and Society in an Age of Reconstruction (1940)
• Freedom, Power, and Democratic Planning (1950)
• Essays on Sociology and Social Psychology (1952)
• Essay on the Sociology of Culture (1956)
• Systematic Sociology (1957)
(Many were published posthumously by his students.)
Ideology and Utopia
Written in Germany, 1936
Included Mannheim’s Sociology of Knowledge, his attempt to link thought with action.
Thought isn’t an isolated activity; it’s an activity set in a sociological context. The way
one thinks is dependent on the society in which one grew up and the thought process of
those prior to them.
“The principle thesis of the sociology of knowledge is that there are modes of thought
which cannot be adequately understood as long as their social origins are obscured.”
Unlike Marx, who believed ruling class ideas dominate society, Mannheim thought
ideas come from various sources (generations, status groups, etc.).
Generations
Mannheim thought a generation of
people shares certain characteristics,
like a social class.
The “Social Climate of the Times” binds
members of a generation together.
A generation shares common
experiences and social outlooks, and
they represent a distinctive phase of the
collective historical process.
The Sociology of Knowledge
Influenced by the German concept of Standortgebunden: The idea that all knowledge
is socially dependent.
He also identified two ways in which knowledge is acquired: “from the inside” (our
own minds) and “from the outside” (reflection of societal processes we’re a part of).
Mannheim recognized that he would never work out all the aspects of his theory. This
was due to the more pressing issues of the Nazis gaining control over much of Europe.
Critics of his theory have noted lack of scientific evidence, and that Mannheim was
more philosophical than sociological.
Planned Social Reconstruction & Sociology of Education
“English Mannheim” shifts his focus to applied sociology.
Education & social planning became his focus in his last years – He was influenced by
the social destruction caused by WWII, and wanted to reconstruct it for the better.
Didn’t believe in a laissez-faire economy, thought it would invite chaos and it was an
irrational solution to economic issues.
But… Mannheim also didn’t think that society should be strictly controlled either:
“The trick in proper rational leadership is to provide stability while
simultaneously allowing for acceptable levels of irrational behavior.”
Planned Social Reconstruction
Role of the Intelligentsia – Intellectuals are not a “class” and aren’t “superior” to
others, but they are the best equipped to deal with the problems of modern society.
They are also represented amongst all social classes. Mannheim believed the
Intellegentsia should have a large part in organizing the transformation of society.
Diagnosis of our Time (1943) – Explored ways to restablish rational means of social
organization.
Freedom, Power & Democratic Planning (1950) – Continued his thoughts on the
Intelligensia’s role in societal planning.
Sociology of Education
Education is the best way to deal with the necessary transformation of society.
Viewed education as physical and mental upbringing of children, thoughtfully planned
by the educators.
Also thought education was the responsibility of the community and favored an
integrated approach.
Mannheim recognized that teaching (the goals and techniques) is socially constructed.
“Because sociology emphasizes utilizing multiple perspectives in the study of social
behavior, it is the most highly valued educational subject.” –Delaney
Relevancy
Attempted to show how social process is interrelated with thought, and he
demonstrated how ideologies originate from many sources.
Recognized that expectations and reality are tied to our environment.
Used theoretical sociology and applied sociology – He dreamed of a utopian society,
but was more realistic with planned reconstruction.
Sociology of Education was a call to action for educators to become (and lead their
students to become) more active with their communities.
The change in his views when he moved to England were an example of his own
theory; that the way we think is influenced by the society around us.
Sources
Delaney, Tim. Classical Social Theory: Investigation and Application. Upper Saddle, New Jersey: Pearson Education, 2004. Print.
"Mannheim, Karl." International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences. 1968. Encyclopedia.com. 17 Apr.
2016 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.
Image Sources:
http://www.britannica.com/biography/Max-Weber-German-sociologist
http://www.biography.com/people/karl-marx-9401219
https://blastfrompast.wikispaces.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosie_the_Riveter
http://413some.blogspot.com/2008/08/lets-talk-about-hippies.html
http://www.eremedia.com/ere/migrating-knowledge-across-generations/
http://rightwingnews.com/freedom/pew-research-asks-millennials-what-they-think-of-free-speech-and-the-results-are-a-bitfrightening/