Foundation for Integrated Education

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THE FOUNDATION FOR INTEGRATED EDUCATION, INC.Dr. P. A. SorokinSociety for Creative Altruism2 Cliff St.Winchester, Mass.Dear Pitirim:If the material published by the Research Society forCreative Altruism continues to feature those who are promotingit and not those capable of doing the research notably, ofcourse, yourself I shall feel obliged to retire from its council,as I stated clearly at the meeting.I do hope that the degree of cooperation which we discussedwith you vhen we were having lunch will still hold good?Specifically, I had hoped that you would assist in theimprovement of my piece on "Toward an Institute for IntegrativeStudies," or compose one of approximately that length yourself,or preferably both.As I think you know, our Foundation has been offered aproperty worth somewhere between one-quarter and one-half milliondollars where studies of this kind could be set up. We do not havethe money for research, although at the beginning we would only needabout $50,000 a year, but such money may yet be found during myactive lifetime.Do you still consider favorably letting us have the privilege of printing the article that you prepared for the Post?Finally, I hear from Dora that Mrs. Sorokin is responsiblefor some very interesting developments in biology. VJe would likevery much to have an account of this as possible source materialfor MAIN CURRENTS.With affectionate regards,
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Proposed Initial Points for the First Orcas Island Conferenceon the Philosophy of EducationA human being cannot live as such, nor can a school system in afree complex modern society prosper, without a philosophy animatingand coordinating the life of the mind. Enlightened teachers andparents in the United States understand this, but in many sectors ofour society the implications are not faced, still less is good workinstituted and sustained to articulate the American philosophy.No one would deny that we must aim to be free, but by what meanswe can come to agree on certain essentials which in truth lead tofreedom is yet to be established.We propose, therefore, to begin study and discussion of procedurescorrective of the above-noticed deficiency, determining the means,including research, which would establish the first stage of a concensus, most particularly the methodology called for if a concensusis to be worked up. Obviously the study and discussion will havebeating on the needed re-uniting of science and the humanities inthe schools; but it should range further into homes.This memorandum is intended to establish a starting point, andgive an initial direction to the discussion. If any statement madehere needs clarifying, it should come first in the discussion andstudy ahead. What is said here is expected only to make clearwhat shall be dealt with. Teachers and parents intending to participate may already have read various more or less centrally important papers in MAIN CURRENTS, from time to time, during the lasttwo and a half years. In fact, material has been supplied over aperiod of some ten years, ever since the Foundation for IntegratedEducation was formed. One item in particular, not yet issuedthrough MAIM CURRENTS, will be deemed important, and will be senton request if the reader does not have it: Toward an Institute forIntegrative Studies. The following seem basic:First, a society must have a philosophy because it must have oraland other forms of communication, and every word spoken implies ageneralization or classification, and these in turn inhere in a moreor less valid system of thought and emotion in the individual. Ifthe generalizations are faulty, and in disagreement—-as they infact arel-—intelligent social conduct is hampered. American generalizations (i.e., meanings) are much too largely physicallyoriented, which is to say that we agree on what is the meaning anduse (and even origin down to atoms) of a traffic light, but not ofs cow, still less of a human being.Second, modern science has a philosophy, the most readily established and authoritative of all now available. At its topmost levelthis is NOT wholly physically oriented. That is to say, the deductive-exact forms of science are anchored to empirical proof atone end, but to clearly statable ideal propositions at the other.Science is coin of the world realm. The philosophy of its highestreaches is therefore priceless as a starting point and a corrective.Third, contemporary science is, aa a whole, and when properly understood, NOT alien or hostile to values, comparative religion, the artsand so on, as was the materialistic mechanism of the previous century. Finally (for the present) the methodology of modern deductive-exact science leads directly to philosophy, to cultural pursuits,to the integration of knowledge. It is proposed that we start bystudying and grasping this important, but quite simple,state ofaffairs, and work back to items 3, 2 and 1. F.L.Kunz,6/9/1958
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. i rsl>clas9, Certified '-.ailItr. F. t. isunzThe foundation for Integrated Education, Inc.246 iast 46th StreetUow vork 17, MM roricHear Frits iJiost cordial thanks for your kind letter. IS greatly enjoyed your andDoriB's visit r.itli ub, and MS hope Uiat from tire to time ivhen you arein this neighborhood we may liavo thin en'oymont in the future.I ar.i ,;lad to know that your Foundation received a substantial piece ofreal estate, and I hope that the necessary funds for research evontuallywoul.1 !jo iorthcoming.i find that your "Yoward an Institute for .'nto^rative Studies" is admirableand does hot-need any correction, un my part I find that there is an e3sen-■ tial agreement between yours and my theory of coalition and reality. Thereare also some differences, but, they concern mainly secondary points. Ithink you should publish your memoir as it is, and if eventually you wouldlike to have a aomewhat similar article ■ ritten by me for your Journal, Iwould ue i'lad to write it. ror the present I arn Bonding to you my article,"?he Ifcrsterioua tnerjcy of Love" (enclosed herenith) written for the Post.If you find it possible to publish It, I would like to Lave 1,000 cor lie's ofit, for which I would be tiulte willln- tc pay the price.'■ithin a few days Lena i-ould send to ycu a brief renort about her studies.If you find it advisable to publish it, that -uuld be good. If, however,it is too special for the isain Cumanta then, of course, there is no needto „ublish it.
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THE FOUNDATION FOR INTKGItATKI) Kill:CATION, INC.Dear Pitirim:Tour article "The Mysterious Energy of Love" has beenduly received, and I am writing to express our real gratitude.We are intending to schedule it as the leading articlefor the first number in the next volume, dated September,of this year, and hops to build up behind it, as so oftenwe are able to do, a few items contributory from source itemsand reviews.We shall look forward to seeing Lena*a report.Tomorrow our Council will inquire into the question ofaccepting the Cold Spring property. It would be an idealplace where men of first rank in science and scholarshipcould meet and visit together peacefully on actual projects,and thus address the American public with a united voice,something which we need so badly* It would only take about|25,0OO a year to keep it going handaonely on the physicalside, including a secretary in residence. It seems to methat if a few of us united to do this, the required money wouldbe forthcoming.For example, I am proposing that men from our Councilgive a series of addresses in the Carnegie Bidowment International Center from October to April next, and that thegroup of lecturers work together in advance of delivering theseries so that they are in methodological agreement.Such a series, prepared for in such a way, and presentedby such men, would have a powerful effect upon the thinkingof people who could really, in turn, make changes that arecalled for.Ever yours,FLK:ph ^ F. L. Kuna -"Vice PresidentP.S. Your article will appear word for word as you have
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provided it, and I take it therefore that proofs will beneedless? We would like, however, to omit theitalisation,which would be useful fcr the readers of the Post, but isnot so necessary for our following. I hope this is allright with you.
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THE FO UK I) ATI OX FOIt IN TEG HAT Ell I.IIUCATION, IXC.Dr. P. A. SorokinMansonville, Que.CanadaDear Pitirim:We have noted to prepare a thousand reprints of thearticle for you.I am in the fullest agreement that a aubatantial grantcould be obtained if the men you list were to sign the applicationand press the urgency of getting at this work. Robert Hutchinswrites me that the Fund for the Advancement of Education shouldsupport us, but, of course, it does not follow that they will.We would have to go throughClarence Faust with some high-poweredhelp, or around him, I am afraid, unless the documentation is sopowerful that he would be just overwhelmed by the authority andweight of it.But the Rockefeller Brothers Fund is now in the fieldand they seem to be employing some intelligent, if rather tough-minded men.The gift of the 70 acres of land and handsome buildings, worth somewhere between one-half and one-quarter millionat Cold Spring, New York, also is helpful. I do wish that youwould write to Henry Margenau yourself and sketch your own ideasand also your own proposed research projects.But besides diversified projects there is a need tohammer the central necessity home—a proper study of methodologyand especially the methodology of deductive-exact science.You know full well that I would be honored to be cosigner of anything that is prepared, and I might, of course, beT. B Ski.ujn. A .,|, Ea,:,„. MAIM I [T.SfNTS■-. . ■■ ■>■ ■'.':! !■'■.■ ; ..-.■■.-.■ |
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useful in the middle or later stages of preparation. Doplease, keep us closelyiinformed of anything that a Sorokinof any description does.Ever yours affectionately.
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THE FOUNDATION FOR INTECiiiATEI, Km CATION, INC.August 8, 1958Dr. P. A. SorokinMaplewaldMansonville, Quebec,CanadaDear Professor Sorokin:It is our custom to add a few linesof personalia about the author at the end ofarticles in MAW CURRENTS.We write to ask you about this becausewe feel that perhaps you would like to have itstated in a certain way, and ws would be most gratefulfor your advice. With best wishes,Cordially yours.Dora and Fritz are on the West Coast now; they willprobably be back about mid-September.
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Foundation for Integrated Education, Inc.Dear Uisa WagneriI am asking my secretary (I am still osend to you my "autobiography" (published iTwentieth Cenvury Authora), list of ray workvacation) toKuniti'B, and Who's Who biography.Pleaae make out of this material «hat»T«ar "personalia" you findadvisable. I a... sure any would be O.K.With my bast wiahea,Sincerely yours,/a/ P. SorokinAut a biographyWho's Who biographyList of publication*Center Report
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September 22, 1958Dear Sr. Sorokin:Th« .ir.uces ef the last Annual eet-iiv.it the Foundation are enclosed.Wo would bo rrjoot grateful if you wouldreturn to ua the enclosed postcard, If thoaction taken at tho mooting has your approval.SoeroiDr. P.A.SorokinResearch Center in CreativeAltruism8 Cliff St.Winchester, Mass.Cordially yours,•Wry
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« l'os Intkchateu ErnvtMIIEJTSa* of tho meeting of the BOARDOF OIUCTOU ef the F01HDATX0N FORIJTTIGRJ.TID IDUCATIOM,IJ»C. held atthe Camogle International Endowment,Center, 346 scot 46 St. New Tork,How Tork at 3:30 p.*. on June 26,l"j£. upon notice duly given.Present: Messrs. Kirtley '■ Mather, Henry Margenau, F. L. Kuni,John Sellon, and Julius Stul.T.an, being a quorum .'MargaretWagner, the Secretary, recorded the xinutea.Or. Mather presided and called tho meeting to order.Tho - inutes of tho last mooting wore approved*The motion wae made, seconded and unanimously carried unatthe present officers and staff of the Foundation bs confirmed. Thefollowing tW tho present offioere and staff:President: Kirtley F. fatherChairman and Director ef Research! Henry MargenauVice president; .'. L. XunsTrossurer: John A. SellonExecutive Secretary: Margaret H. WagnerConsultant in Public School Sducation: Harvey V.CulpResearch Associates:In Physics: Rsy W. Jackson, Ph.D.In Psychology: V. M. Nicholson, Ph.D.In Psychosomatic I edlcine: Prank Woidleh, M.D.Tqere being no further business to cone before the -eetirurupon motion duly mode, seconded snd carried, it was adjourned.■awtfjpma tt ^^'!
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Tin- F"i-»iiiATiei> Fein. In-thcr.-WKUTIS of the Annual .eating of thoCOUICII. Of tho FOUKDATION POX IilTSGRA'.EDUCATIOH, Inc. hold on Juno 26, 1958at 2:45 p.m. at tho Carnegie International Endowment Center, 345 lest ktStreet, New Tork, Mew Tork, uponnotice duly given.Present: Or. Kirtley 7. Mother, Harvey V. Gulp, F. L. Suns, HenryMargensu, John Sellon, Carlton Sherwood and Julius Stulicsn.Margaret Vagner, Secretary, recorded the inutes.Dr. .-ether.. President of tho Foundation, called the meeting to order.The inutes of the lost Annusl Meeting, held on April 16, 1937, wereapproved.A general discussion then followed of the offer made to the Foundation by Krs. Willisa. Lsdd, of her property at Cold Spring Hew Tork*John Sellon reported on tho action he had taken in regard to the offer,and his conversations with Hrs. L«dd. Ths Council felt that ths Founds-tien could not accept the offer of the property unlesa there wss notonly money on hand tot-eot the coat of up-keep, but also funds to financethe program of the Inatituta for Integrative Studies to be located there.It wss suggested thst eo e kind of on srrsngsment right bs workedout through anotner group, the Thooeophical Society in America. In whichMr. Kuns and Mr. Sellon ere active, whereby sob>o of the funds needed coulcbe secured, perhaps enough to eec the .sintenance. In turn, the Thooeophical Society would be benefitted by research of the kind proposed.The owner si.ip snd anage-ent of the property -ay be vested in adiroctorste interlocking the Foundation and the Society, this Cold SpringDirectorate being in full charge.The consensus of ths meeting wss thst if 425,000 to J50.000 couldbe raised per yea.-, for a few years, in addition to the funds from theTheoeophicsl Society la America, the Foundation would then be in a poolticto accept Krs> Ltdd's generoue offer, and set us an Institute on theTwo sufGuetav 1tie thst he right find this money: end Dr. Henry Margenau statsd thst hewss willing to approach the .National Science Foundation to eee if theywould be interestsd in .eking s grant for ths kind of research the Institute would undertake. Isle University right possibly be interested, too.Dr. Margenau ssid.

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