The Mind and Society
Encyclopedia
The Mind and Society is the English title of the seminal sociological
work Trattato di Sociologia Generale by the Italian sociologist and economist Vilfredo Pareto
(1848-1923).
In this book Pareto presents the first sociological cycle theory
, centered around the concept of an elite social class.
Pareto divided the elite class into two groups: the conservative defenders of status quo (violent 'lions'), and the radical promoters of change (cunning 'foxes'). In his view of society, the power constantly passes from 'foxes' to 'lions' and vice versa.
The Mind and Society has been named one of the most influential books ever written
by Martin Seymour-Smith
. The English edition was published in 1935.
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...
work Trattato di Sociologia Generale by the Italian sociologist and economist Vilfredo Pareto
Vilfredo Pareto
Vilfredo Federico Damaso Pareto , born Wilfried Fritz Pareto, was an Italian engineer, sociologist, economist, political scientist and philosopher. He made several important contributions to economics, particularly in the study of income distribution and in the analysis of individuals' choices....
(1848-1923).
In this book Pareto presents the first sociological cycle theory
Social cycle theory
Social cycle theories are among the earliest social theories in sociology. Unlike the theory of social evolutionism, which views the evolution of society and human history as progressing in some new, unique direction, sociological cycle theory argues that events and stages of society and history...
, centered around the concept of an elite social class.
Pareto divided the elite class into two groups: the conservative defenders of status quo (violent 'lions'), and the radical promoters of change (cunning 'foxes'). In his view of society, the power constantly passes from 'foxes' to 'lions' and vice versa.
The Mind and Society has been named one of the most influential books ever written
100 Most Influential Books Ever Written
The 100 Most Influential Books Ever Written: The History of Thought from Ancient Times to Today is a book of intellectual history written by Martin Seymour-Smith, a British poet, critic, and biographer.-Chronological list:...
by Martin Seymour-Smith
Martin Seymour-Smith
Martin Roger Seymour-Smith was a British poet, literary critic, biographer and astrologer.Seymour-Smith was born in London and educated at Oxford University where he was editor of Isis...
. The English edition was published in 1935.