Pitirim A. Sorokin

Pitirim A. Sorokin was a Russian-American sociologist known for his cyclical theory of history, which suggests that societies alternate between phases of cultural and social norms. He argued that civilizations go through periods of "ideational" (spiritual and moral values) and "sensate" (materialistic and scientific values) focus. Sorokin believed these shifts influence everything from art to politics, suggesting that history is not linear but repetitive, with societies rising and falling in a cycle driven by changing values and social practices. His work highlights the complexity of cultural evolution and the consequences of societal priorities.