Encyclopedia, Difference between revisions of "Ferdinand Tönnies" - New World
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| − | '''Ferdinand Tönnies''' (July 26, 1855 – April 9, 1936) was a [[Germany|German]] [[sociology|sociologist]]. He was a major contributor to sociological theory and field studies, and a co-founder of the German Society of Sociology. He is best known for his distinction between two types of social groups: [[Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft]]. | + | '''Ferdinand Tönnies''' or '''Ferdinand Toennies''' (July 26, 1855 – April 9, 1936) was a [[Germany|German]] [[sociology|sociologist]]. He was a major contributor to sociological theory and field studies, and a co-founder of the German Society of Sociology. He is best known for his distinction between two types of social groups: [[Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft]], based on the conception of "essential" or [[instinct]]ive will, which focuses on the whole purpose, and "arbitrary" or [[reason|rational]] will, which is based on self-interest. While Tönnies was pessimistic about the future of society which he saw as becoming more based on self-interest, he believed that all [[social structure]]s contain elements of both types of will. The possibility of a future world of peace and harmony depends upon the proper balance between these two. |
== Life == | == Life == | ||
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'''Ferdinand Tönnies''' was born into a wealthy farmer's family near Oldenswort, in the North Frisian peninsula of Eiderstedt, then under [[Denmark|Danish]] rule. He was one of seven children. After completing his [[high school]] education in Husum, Tönnies continued to study at several [[university|universities]]: the University of Jena, University of Bonn, University of Leipzig, [[University of Berlin]], and University of Tübingen. | '''Ferdinand Tönnies''' was born into a wealthy farmer's family near Oldenswort, in the North Frisian peninsula of Eiderstedt, then under [[Denmark|Danish]] rule. He was one of seven children. After completing his [[high school]] education in Husum, Tönnies continued to study at several [[university|universities]]: the University of Jena, University of Bonn, University of Leipzig, [[University of Berlin]], and University of Tübingen. | ||
| − | The time in which he was living greatly influenced the development of Tönnies' worldview. He was a witness to drastic changes in [[social structure]], as the [[Industrial Revolution]] was quickly transforming society. Tönnies, on one side saw the progress that [[industrialization]] was bringing, but on the other he remained pessimist because he saw the decline in traditional [[morality]] as person-to-person alienation mounted. His works reflect this | + | The time in which he was living greatly influenced the development of Tönnies' worldview. He was a witness to drastic changes in [[social structure]], as the [[Industrial Revolution]] was quickly transforming society. Tönnies, on one side saw the progress that [[industrialization]] was bringing, but on the other he remained pessimist because he saw the decline in traditional [[morality]] as person-to-person alienation mounted. His works reflect this pessimistic view of modern society. |
Tönnies received his doctorate in Tübingen in 1877, in classical [[philology]], with a [[Latin]] thesis on the ancient Siwa Oasis. Four years later he became a private lecturer at the University of Kiel, teaching [[philosophy]], [[economics]], [[statistics]], and [[sociology]]. Because he had sympathized with the Hamburg dockers' strike of 1896, the Prussian government considered him to be a social-democrat, and Tönnies was not called to a professorship until 1913. He held his post at the University of Kiel for only three years. | Tönnies received his doctorate in Tübingen in 1877, in classical [[philology]], with a [[Latin]] thesis on the ancient Siwa Oasis. Four years later he became a private lecturer at the University of Kiel, teaching [[philosophy]], [[economics]], [[statistics]], and [[sociology]]. Because he had sympathized with the Hamburg dockers' strike of 1896, the Prussian government considered him to be a social-democrat, and Tönnies was not called to a professorship until 1913. He held his post at the University of Kiel for only three years. | ||
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Tönnies remains famous for his conception of [[Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft]], which in general, refers to two types of social groupings. ''Gemeinschaft''—often translated as ''Community''—refers to groupings based on a feeling of togetherness. ''Gesellschaft''—often translated as ''Society''—on the other hand, refers to groups that are sustained by an instrumental goal. ''Gemeinschaft'' may by exemplified by a [[family]] or a neighborhood [[community]]; ''Gesellschaft'' by a joint-stock company or a state or [[nation]]. | Tönnies remains famous for his conception of [[Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft]], which in general, refers to two types of social groupings. ''Gemeinschaft''—often translated as ''Community''—refers to groupings based on a feeling of togetherness. ''Gesellschaft''—often translated as ''Society''—on the other hand, refers to groups that are sustained by an instrumental goal. ''Gemeinschaft'' may by exemplified by a [[family]] or a neighborhood [[community]]; ''Gesellschaft'' by a joint-stock company or a state or [[nation]]. | ||
| − | This distinction between social groupings is based on the assumption that there are only two basic forms of will: "Essential Will" and "Arbitrary Will." The "Essential will" ("''Wesenwille''"), leads the actor to see himself as a means to serve the goals of a social grouping. Very often this will is an underlying, subconscious, almost [[instinct]]ive force, that motivates people to volunteer their time and to serve others. Groupings formed around an essential will are called ''Gemeinschaft'', and they can be understood as an organic type of structure. | + | This distinction between social groupings is based on the assumption that there are only two basic forms of will: "Essential Will" and "Arbitrary Will." The "Essential will" ("''Wesenwille''") or "Natural will," leads the actor to see himself as a means to serve the goals of a social grouping. Very often this will is an underlying, subconscious, almost [[instinct]]ive force, that motivates people to volunteer their time and to serve others. Groupings formed around an essential will are called ''Gemeinschaft'', and they can be understood as an organic type of structure. |
| − | The other type of will is the "arbitrary will" ("''Kürwille''"), which Tönnies based on the ideas of [[Thomas Hobbes]], some of whose works he edited. An actor here sees the social group as a means to further his individual goals, and so it is purposive and future-oriented, based on conscious decision-making. Groupings around the latter are called ''Gesellschaft'' and their structure can be understood as based on [[social contract]]s. | + | The other type of will is the "arbitrary will" ("''Kürwille''") or "Rational will," which Tönnies based on the ideas of [[Thomas Hobbes]], some of whose works he edited. An actor here sees the social group as a means to further his individual goals, and so it is purposive and future-oriented, based on conscious decision-making. Groupings around the latter are called ''Gesellschaft'' and their structure can be understood as based on [[social contract]]s. While the membership in a ''Gemeinschaft'' is self-fulfilling, a ''Gesellschaft'' is instrumental for its members. In pure [[sociology]], i.e. theoretically, these two types of will are to be strictly separated; in applied sociology, i.e. empirically, they are always mixed. |
| − | Tönnies was | + | Tönnies was ultimately interested in [[social change]]. Through the concept of ''Gemeinschaft'' and ''Gesellschaft'' he explained the evolution of society from ancient to modern. He saw ancient society as predominantly rooted in the essential will, where families, [[tribe]]s, and villages functioned around common [[heritage]]. People predominantly used essential will, for the benefit of the whole group. In more developed societies, however, the relationships between people are based on arbitrary will, with the [[social structure]]s formed around common interests. People in such societies predominantly use arbitrary will based on their own interest, choosing between different means to fulfill certain individual needs. Tönnies, however, did not see modern society as exclusively based in arbitrary will, but as a mix of the two. In his conception, every social organization is a synthesis of the two wills. |
== Legacy == | == Legacy == | ||
Revision as of 15:39, 21 June 2006
Ferdinand Tönnies or Ferdinand Toennies (July 26, 1855 – April 9, 1936) was a German sociologist. He was a major contributor to sociological theory and field studies, and a co-founder of the German Society of Sociology. He is best known for his distinction between two types of social groups: Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft, based on the conception of "essential" or instinctive will, which focuses on the whole purpose, and "arbitrary" or rational will, which is based on self-interest. While Tönnies was pessimistic about the future of society which he saw as becoming more based on self-interest, he believed that all social structures contain elements of both types of will. The possibility of a future world of peace and harmony depends upon the proper balance between these two.
Life
Ferdinand Tönnies was born into a wealthy farmer's family near Oldenswort, in the North Frisian peninsula of Eiderstedt, then under Danish rule. He was one of seven children. After completing his high school education in Husum, Tönnies continued to study at several universities: the University of Jena, University of Bonn, University of Leipzig, University of Berlin, and University of Tübingen.
The time in which he was living greatly influenced the development of Tönnies' worldview. He was a witness to drastic changes in social structure, as the Industrial Revolution was quickly transforming society. Tönnies, on one side saw the progress that industrialization was bringing, but on the other he remained pessimist because he saw the decline in traditional morality as person-to-person alienation mounted. His works reflect this pessimistic view of modern society.
Tönnies received his doctorate in Tübingen in 1877, in classical philology, with a Latin thesis on the ancient Siwa Oasis. Four years later he became a private lecturer at the University of Kiel, teaching philosophy, economics, statistics, and sociology. Because he had sympathized with the Hamburg dockers' strike of 1896, the Prussian government considered him to be a social-democrat, and Tönnies was not called to a professorship until 1913. He held his post at the University of Kiel for only three years.
From 1909 to 1933 he was president of the German Sociological Society, which he co-founded together with Georg Simmel, Werner Sombart, and Max Weber. He returned to the university as a professor emeritus in 1921, and taught there until 1933 when he was ousted by the Nazis, due to his earlier publications criticizing them. He died in Kiel three years later, in 1936.
Work
Tönnies remains famous for his conception of Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft, which in general, refers to two types of social groupings. Gemeinschaft—often translated as Community—refers to groupings based on a feeling of togetherness. Gesellschaft—often translated as Society—on the other hand, refers to groups that are sustained by an instrumental goal. Gemeinschaft may by exemplified by a family or a neighborhood community; Gesellschaft by a joint-stock company or a state or nation.
This distinction between social groupings is based on the assumption that there are only two basic forms of will: "Essential Will" and "Arbitrary Will." The "Essential will" ("Wesenwille") or "Natural will," leads the actor to see himself as a means to serve the goals of a social grouping. Very often this will is an underlying, subconscious, almost instinctive force, that motivates people to volunteer their time and to serve others. Groupings formed around an essential will are called Gemeinschaft, and they can be understood as an organic type of structure.
The other type of will is the "arbitrary will" ("Kürwille") or "Rational will," which Tönnies based on the ideas of Thomas Hobbes, some of whose works he edited. An actor here sees the social group as a means to further his individual goals, and so it is purposive and future-oriented, based on conscious decision-making. Groupings around the latter are called Gesellschaft and their structure can be understood as based on social contracts. While the membership in a Gemeinschaft is self-fulfilling, a Gesellschaft is instrumental for its members. In pure sociology, i.e. theoretically, these two types of will are to be strictly separated; in applied sociology, i.e. empirically, they are always mixed.
Tönnies was ultimately interested in social change. Through the concept of Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft he explained the evolution of society from ancient to modern. He saw ancient society as predominantly rooted in the essential will, where families, tribes, and villages functioned around common heritage. People predominantly used essential will, for the benefit of the whole group. In more developed societies, however, the relationships between people are based on arbitrary will, with the social structures formed around common interests. People in such societies predominantly use arbitrary will based on their own interest, choosing between different means to fulfill certain individual needs. Tönnies, however, did not see modern society as exclusively based in arbitrary will, but as a mix of the two. In his conception, every social organization is a synthesis of the two wills.
Legacy
Tönnies published over 900 works, and contributed to many areas of sociology and philosophy. Many of his writings on sociological theories, including his masterpiece Gemeinschaft und Gesellschaft furthered pure sociology. He coined the term "Voluntarism."
Tönnies also contributed to the study of social change, particularly on public opinion, customs and technology, crime, and suicide. He also had a vivid interest in methodology, especially statistics, and sociological research, inventing his own technique of statistical association.
The Ferdinand Tönnies Society (Ferdinand-Tönnies-Gesellschaft) was founded 1956 in Kiel, with the vision of furthering sociological research in honor of Ferdinand Tönnies, as one of the founders of German sociology.
Bibliography
- Tönnies, F. (1887, 1912, 1957, 1988). Gemeinschaft und Gesellschaft (Community and Society). Michigan State University Press. ISBN 0887387500.
- Tönnies, F. (1910). Thomas Hobbes, der Mann und der Denker.
- Tönnies, F. (1922/2000). Kritik der Öffentlichen Meinung (On Public Opinion). Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. ISBN 074250168X
- Tönnies, F. (1923/2000). Soziologische Studien und Kritiken. In Ferdinand Tonnies Gesamtausgabe: Bd 15: 1923-1925. Innere Kolonisation in Preuben, Soziologische Studien Und Kritiken. Walter De Gruyter Inc. ISBN 3110158477
- Tönnies, F. (1931). Einführung in die Soziologie
- Tönnies, F. (1935). Geist der Neuzeit.
- Tönnies, F. (1998). Ferdinand Tönnies Gesamtausgabe (Tönnies' Complete Workes), 24 vols. (Lars Clausen, Alexander Deichsel, Cornelius Bickel, Rolf Fechner, and Carsten Schlüter-Knauer, Eds.). Berlin/New York: Walter de Gruyter Inc. ISBN 311015854X
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Carstens, Uwe. (2005). Ferdinand Tönnies - Friese und Weltbürger, Norderstedt: Books on Demand. ISBN 3833429666
- Deflem, Mathieu. (2001). Tönnies, Ferdinand (1855-1936). Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved on June 13, 2006 (http://www.cas.sc.edu/socy/faculty/deflem/zToennies.html).
- Fechner, Rolf (1992). Ferdinand Tönnies - Werkverzeichnis, Berlin/New York: Walter de Gryuter. ISBN 3110135191
External links
- [1] Ferdinand-Tönnies-Gesellschaft (Ferdinand Tönnies Society)
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