Igor Kon
Encyclopedia
Igor Semyonovich Kon was a Soviet
and Russia
n philosopher, psychologist
, and sexologist. His scientific publications have been translated into various languages.
and returned after the lifting of the blockade in 1944. He graduated from Herzen State Pedagogical University
with a degree in history
in 1947 and was awarded a candidate of sciences degree by the same university in 1950. He was awarded the doctor of sciences
degree by Leningrad State University in 1959.
Kon worked at a variety of academic institutions between 1950 and 1974, holding positions at the Vologda Pedagogical Institute in 1950-52, the Leningrad Chemical-Pharmaceutical Institute (now St. Petersburg State Chemical-Pharmaceutical Academy) in 1953-56, Leningrad State University (now St. Petersburg State University) in 1956-67, the Institute of Philosophy of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR in 1967-68, the Institute of Concrete Social Research of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR (now Institute of Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences
) in 1968-72, and the Institute of Social Sciences in 1972-74. He has been chief researcher of the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology at the Russian Academy of Sciences since 1974.
Kon was one of the first Soviet scholars to write textbooks on sociology
. He is most famous as an expert on sexology
and sexual health
. He started studying these matters in the middle of the 1960s. His Vvedeniye v seksologiyu (Introduction to Sexology; 1988, 2005) was written as a textbook for universities.
He believed that sexology cannot be confined to the bounds of medical problems, but rather is an independent interdisciplinary science rather than a branch of medicine. Interviewed by Sarah Keller for his profile in a 1989 issue of the American
magazine Mother Jones
, Kon stated: Kon was a member of numerous scientific societies, including the International Academy of Sex Research
, the European Association of Experimental Social Psychology, the International Sociological Association
, the Polish Academy of Sex Research, and the European Association for Adolescent Psychology. He was a member of the International Advisory Board of the German Society for Social-Scientific Sexuality Research
.
in 1989 and received a doctor honoris causa degree from the University of Surrey
in 1992.
In 2005, the World Association for Sexual Health awarded Kon its Gold Medal for outstanding contributions to sexology.
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
and Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n philosopher, psychologist
Psychologist
Psychologist is a professional or academic title used by individuals who are either:* Clinical professionals who work with patients in a variety of therapeutic contexts .* Scientists conducting psychological research or teaching psychology in a college...
, and sexologist. His scientific publications have been translated into various languages.
Biography
Kon was born in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). He was evacuated during the Siege of LeningradSiege of Leningrad
The Siege of Leningrad, also known as the Leningrad Blockade was a prolonged military operation resulting from the failure of the German Army Group North to capture Leningrad, now known as Saint Petersburg, in the Eastern Front theatre of World War II. It started on 8 September 1941, when the last...
and returned after the lifting of the blockade in 1944. He graduated from Herzen State Pedagogical University
Herzen University
The State Russian Herzen Pedagogical University is one of the largest universities in Russia. Located in Saint Petersburg, it operates 20 faculties and more than 100 departments. Embroidered in its structure are the Institute of Pre-University Courses, the Institute of Continuous Professional...
with a degree in history
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
in 1947 and was awarded a candidate of sciences degree by the same university in 1950. He was awarded the doctor of sciences
Doktor nauk
Doktor nauk is a higher doctoral degree, the second and the highest post-graduate academic degree in the Soviet Union, Russia and in many post-Soviet states. Sometimes referred to as Dr. Hab. The prerequisite is the first degree, Kandidat nauk which is informally regarded equivalent to Ph.D....
degree by Leningrad State University in 1959.
Kon worked at a variety of academic institutions between 1950 and 1974, holding positions at the Vologda Pedagogical Institute in 1950-52, the Leningrad Chemical-Pharmaceutical Institute (now St. Petersburg State Chemical-Pharmaceutical Academy) in 1953-56, Leningrad State University (now St. Petersburg State University) in 1956-67, the Institute of Philosophy of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR in 1967-68, the Institute of Concrete Social Research of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR (now Institute of Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Academy of Sciences
The Russian Academy of Sciences consists of the national academy of Russia and a network of scientific research institutes from across the Russian Federation as well as auxiliary scientific and social units like libraries, publishers and hospitals....
) in 1968-72, and the Institute of Social Sciences in 1972-74. He has been chief researcher of the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology at the Russian Academy of Sciences since 1974.
Kon was one of the first Soviet scholars to write textbooks on 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...
. He is most famous as an expert on sexology
Sexology
Sexology is the scientific study of human sexuality, including human sexual interests, behavior, and function. The term does not generally refer to the non-scientific study of sex, such as political analysis or social criticism....
and sexual health
Reproductive health
Within the framework of the World Health Organization's definition of health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, reproductive health, or sexual health/hygiene, addresses the reproductive processes, functions and system...
. He started studying these matters in the middle of the 1960s. His Vvedeniye v seksologiyu (Introduction to Sexology; 1988, 2005) was written as a textbook for universities.
He believed that sexology cannot be confined to the bounds of medical problems, but rather is an independent interdisciplinary science rather than a branch of medicine. Interviewed by Sarah Keller for his profile in a 1989 issue of the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
magazine Mother Jones
Mother Jones (magazine)
Mother Jones is an American independent news organization, featuring investigative and breaking news reporting on politics, the environment, human rights, and culture. Mother Jones has been nominated for 23 National Magazine Awards and has won six times, including for General Excellence in 2001,...
, Kon stated: Kon was a member of numerous scientific societies, including the International Academy of Sex Research
International Academy of Sex Research
The International Academy of Sex Research is a scientific society for researchers in sexology. According to John Bancroft, retired director of the Kinsey Institute, IASR "can claim...most of the field's leading researchers." IASR is unique among sexology organizations in that individuals must...
, the European Association of Experimental Social Psychology, the International Sociological Association
International Sociological Association
International Sociological Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to scientific purposes in the field of sociology and social sciences...
, the Polish Academy of Sex Research, and the European Association for Adolescent Psychology. He was a member of the International Advisory Board of the German Society for Social-Scientific Sexuality Research
German Society for Social-Scientific Sexuality Research
The German Society for Social-Scientific Sexuality Research [in German: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Sozialwissenschaftliche Sexualforschung ] is a sexuality research and counselling organization . It is primarily devoted to sociological, behavioral, and cultural sexuality research...
.
Honors
Kon was awarded an honorary professorship from Cornell UniversityCornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
in 1989 and received a doctor honoris causa degree from the University of Surrey
University of Surrey
The University of Surrey is a university located within the county town of Guildford, Surrey in the South East of England. It received its charter on 9 September 1966, and was previously situated near Battersea Park in south-west London. The institution was known as Battersea College of Technology...
in 1992.
In 2005, the World Association for Sexual Health awarded Kon its Gold Medal for outstanding contributions to sexology.
Publications
- Kon, Igor & James Riordan (Eds.) (1993). Sex and Russian Society. Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University Press; ISBN 9780253332011.
- Kon, I. (1989) A History of Classical Sociology. Trans. H. Campbell Creighton. Moscow: Progress Publishers. ISBN 5-01-001102-6.
- Kon, I. (1995) Sexual Revolution in Russia: From the Age of the Czars to Today. Trans. James Riordan. New York: Free Press; ISBN 9780029175415.