Erik Rinde
Encyclopedia
Erik Rinde was a Norwegian jurist who became a pioneer of social sciences
in Norway
.
The social sciences witnessed an impetus worldwide after the end of World War II
, but were little developed in Norway. From 1946 a group of researchers led by philosopher Arne Næss
sought to improve this field of research. Rinde had graduated as a jurist from the University of Oslo
in 1943, but had also studied sociology
at the London School of Economics
. He joined the group of Arne Næss, although he had a more administrative role. A son of businessman Sigurd Rinde, Erik Rinde had several contacts that proved valuable, securing the financing of early projects. In 1950, Rinde and Næss founded the Institute for Social Research
. Other people involved were Vilhelm Aubert
and Stein Rokkan
. Rinde served as both managing director and chair
for many years. He left the chair in the early 1970s, but returned in 1988 following the death of Vilhelm Aubert. He was also instrumental in the foundation of the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO).
Rinde was decorated with the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav, and received an honorary degree at the University of Oslo
.
Social sciences
Social science is the field of study concerned with society. "Social science" is commonly used as an umbrella term to refer to a plurality of fields outside of the natural sciences usually exclusive of the administrative or managerial sciences...
in Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
.
The social sciences witnessed an impetus worldwide after the end of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, but were little developed in Norway. From 1946 a group of researchers led by philosopher Arne Næss
Arne Næss
Arne Dekke Eide Næss was a Norwegian philosopher, the founder of deep ecology. He was the youngest person to be appointed full professor at the University of Oslo....
sought to improve this field of research. Rinde had graduated as a jurist from the University of Oslo
University of Oslo
The University of Oslo , formerly The Royal Frederick University , is the oldest and largest university in Norway, situated in the Norwegian capital of Oslo. The university was founded in 1811 and was modelled after the recently established University of Berlin...
in 1943, but had also studied sociology
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
at the London School of Economics
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
. He joined the group of Arne Næss, although he had a more administrative role. A son of businessman Sigurd Rinde, Erik Rinde had several contacts that proved valuable, securing the financing of early projects. In 1950, Rinde and Næss founded the Institute for Social Research
Norwegian Institute for Social Research
The Norwegian Institute for Social Research is a social science research institute based in Oslo, Norway.It was founded in 1950 by Vilhelm Aubert, Arne Næss, Eirik Rinde, and Stein Rokkan. It cooperates closely with the University of Oslo and the Research Council of Norway, but is a contract-based...
. Other people involved were Vilhelm Aubert
Vilhelm Aubert
Johan Vilhelm Aubert was an influential Norwegian sociologist. He was a professor at the University of Oslo from 1963 to his death, first at the Department of the Sociology of Law and then at the Department of the Sociology of Law...
and Stein Rokkan
Stein Rokkan
Stein Rokkan was a Norwegian political scientist and sociologist. He was a professor in comparative politics at the University of Bergen.-Career and influence:...
. Rinde served as both managing director and chair
Chair (official)
The chairman is the highest officer of an organized group such as a board, committee, or deliberative assembly. The person holding the office is typically elected or appointed by the members of the group. The chairman presides over meetings of the assembled group and conducts its business in an...
for many years. He left the chair in the early 1970s, but returned in 1988 following the death of Vilhelm Aubert. He was also instrumental in the foundation of the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO).
Rinde was decorated with the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav, and received an honorary degree at the University of Oslo
University of Oslo
The University of Oslo , formerly The Royal Frederick University , is the oldest and largest university in Norway, situated in the Norwegian capital of Oslo. The university was founded in 1811 and was modelled after the recently established University of Berlin...
.