Foundation for Integrated Education

Primary tabs

Pages

Sorokin_IX_F_7_073
* For IntegrateProfessor P. A. SorokinHarvard Center in Altruisiand CreativityCambridge, Mass.The Foundation as you kuow la planning to conduct a coursenext year (September to Hay) entitled "The Frontier of Knowledge:Integrative Concepts in Science, Philoscpny and Education" at New YorkUniversity. It will take place on Tuesday evenings from S:10 to 9-J55p.m.A list of lecturers and titles ie attached. The first termis in final form, but we are now turning to the shaping up of the secondterm, which deals with the educational, sociological and philosophicalaspects. We write to ask whether it would be possible for you to giveone of the lectures in the second term, m ss stew*'/Ie would be guided by your suggestions at to the title. Naturally,we would be much honored ie you are able to participate.The course we are called upon to produce arose primarily fromour first concern for methodological unity in the newer fields of knowledge. It attempts to convey the solid facts of tho natural sciencesand subsequently to appraise their relevance for education, both ss tomethod and content of the educational process. Significantly, it wasconceived originally by men in the educational departments of the variousuniversities of the New York area. In the initial organizing conferencesI sensed a note of dissatisfaction among these distinguished educatorswith present practices which overlook the value of scientific method inthe teaching process; indeed I felt a measure of skepticism toward theso-called progressive trend. A surprising unanimity was noticeable withrespect to the value of ideas and concepts as distinct from usable facts.An emphasis upon solid ideas and the ways for securing them seems to bewhat we ere expected to provide.The lectures will be an hour, or perhaps an hour and fifteenminute* in length, and are to be followed by tnlrty to forty-five oinvtesof questions and discussion. The students attending the course will probably be drawn from various campuses in New York City and include a suitable
Sorokin_IX_F_7_074
number of men and women now teacningin the metropolitaii area. Hepreaenta—tlves of the education departments ofmost of the univei■sities in New YorkCity have agreed to sponsor the course, and intend to eitsure that studentsattending will receive credit.In order to unify tho course a summer conference will be held atthe University of New Hampshire, Durham, N.H. The Hocksfalias Foundationhas generously made it possible for us to hold this meeting by providingfunds to pay the traveling expenses and maintenance of the lecturers whowill be present. The conference will be devoted to the discussion of thecontents and methods to be employed in the course. Besides the teacherswe expect a few others who are particularly interested in the problemsof Integrated education. The meeting is to be from August 23rd to August29th. The enclosed mimeographed sheet gives details.As far as the course itself is concerned, each lecturer will bepaid a uniform fee of $75 per meeting, ia addition to his traveling expenses.The lectures are to be electrically recorded, and the Foundation for Integrated Education expects to organise them for publication, to submit them to thelecturers for approval, and editing, and finally to publish them with duecredit to their authors.In addition to ths outstanding contribution your participationwould make to the sociological aspects of the course, we would be doublyglad to have you as one of the lecturers because of your long and activesympathy with the alms of the Foundation.HenSfr Margecfeu
Sorokin_IX_F_7_075
A Course inCONCEPTUAL INTEGRATION IN SCIENCE, PHILOSOPHY, AND EDUCATIONOffered by the Division of General Education, (JewYork University, in association nith the Foundationfor Integrated Education. Chairman: Henry Margenau,Higgins Professor of Physics and Natural Philosophy,Yale University. Sept. 25,. 1951 - May 20, 1952Tuesdays 8:10 - 9i55 p.m.Introduction: Motivationand need for courseMechanism and space-timeThe breakdown of mechanisnthe world of quantaDirectives implicit in thestructure of the earthThe living mechanismThe path of life throi:Biology and geometryEnvironmental effectson living organismsHeredity and EnvironmeJan. 6 Evolutior15 Cell and psychs.itutes the firrThe foregoing cdiscussion and stand at present as described on the second sheet.F. L. Kunz, Foundation forIntegrated EducationHenry Margenau, Higgins Professor ofPhysics snd Natural Philosophy, YaleHenry MargenauKirtley F. Mather, Professorof Geology, HarvardHarlow Shapley, Director, HarvardObservatory, HarvardHenry MargenauJoseph S. Fruton, Professor ofBiochemistry, Yale UniversityVT. Seifriz, Professor of BotanyUniversity of PennsylvaniaKirtley F. Mather, Professor ofGeology, Harvard UniversityF. L. Kunz, Foundation forIntegrated EducationPaul B. Sears, Professor ofBotany, Yale UniversityLeslie C. Dunn, Professor ofZoology, Columbia Universitykl. F. Ashley Montagu, Chairman, Dept.of Anthropology, Rutgers Univ.Edmund ". Sinnott, Head, GraduateSchool, Yale UniversityF. S. C. Northrop, Sterling Professorof Law and Natural Philosophy, YaleDetails for the second tens ars under
Sorokin_IX_F_7_076
Concept formati'Philosophies of educati(Second Term)26 Philosophies of educatioi». h Theories of learning11 The nature of man-John: Sj .Di'uliailiei., J-¥a4e UStvnruUjMark May, Director, InstituteRelations, Yale University1 uI Eduimtiuu,Gardner Murphy, Professor of PsychologCollege of the City of Hew YorkSigns, Personality and SocietyCharles "orris, Professor of PhilosopUniversity of ChicagoThe meaning of good behaviorScientific bases of ethics; Integration for 1; ilagel. Department of Philosophy,imbia Universitysee of educationt 6 Philosophy Of Sciences morals and democratic social policyGeorge Axtelle, Professor of EducatioiNew York University13 Overall Summary Henry Margenau
Sorokin_IX_F_7_077
ion Fob IntecuaiTHE FRONTIER OF EHCfLEDGaSecond TermTentative■ Concept Formation in ScienceF.S.C.lIorthrop,Sterling Professor of Law and,!atural Philosophy, Yale University- What is Scientific Truth?Ernest Msgel, Professor of Philosophy, Columbia UniversityThe Mature of ManGardner Murphy, Professor of Psychology, College of theCity of Hew YorkTheories of LearningMark A. May, Director, Institute for Human Relations,Yale UniversitySigns, Personality and SocietyCharles Morris, Professor if Philosophy,Unlversi-.v .if 01 .cagoThe Supracooscious in Human •■■..--,-i .ity and CultureP. A. Sorokin, Director, (Vi ; Research Center inAltruistic Integration and CreativityPhilosophies of SducationTheodore Brarseld, Professor of Sducation, New YorkUniversitySumnaryF. S. C. Eorthrop, Sterling Professor of Law andEatural Philosophy, Yale UniversityThs Meaning of Good BehaviorClyde Kluckhohn, Director, Russian Institute,Harvard UniversityScientific Bases of SthicaHenry I'^rgenau. Hicgins Professor of fhysics andNatural Philosophy, Yale UniversityDemocracy and Social ActionSidney Hook, Professor of Philosophy,Hew York UniversityPhilosophy of Science, iiorals. End Democratic PolicyGeorge Axtelle, Professor of Education,ITevr York UniversityIntegration for the Process of SducationJohn A, Childs, Professor of SducationTeachers College, Columbia UniversityCourse SummaryHenry Margenau, Yale UniversityCourse Summary
Sorokin_IX_F_7_078
Professor Henry UarganauSloans Fhysics LaboratoryYale UniversityNew Haven 11, Conn.Dear Profeaaor Har-onauiI thank you very much for your kind letter and invitation.As to the possibility of siv'.ng a lecture in this great course you andothere ars organising, I would be pleased to give it if this can be done withoutmy participation in the sesslor. at the University of New Hempahir*. I willnot be able to participate in that sesslo I due to the conflict with ray already-n*de arrangerwrits for the eud cf August.Tentative topics for rry lecture may bet 1. Socio-culturalSystems and Congeriesi 2. Ethics of Creative Love; 3. Totalitarianismi itscauaes and fluctuations; u. Polarization in Frustrations and Criaea; 9t TheSui-raoonaclous in Human Personal'ty and Culture.If for sor.e rsaaon none of these topics can well fit thscourss, I an: surs you would have no ceremonies with me and would respectivelyinform me that my lecture does not fit the course..Tith ny deep appreciation of your kindness and ry most aincsrswishes for a full treasure of success to the meeting, to the course, and tothe foundation so ably !• a by you.Very sincerely yours,Pitlrln A. Sorokin
Sorokin_IX_F_7_079
Dr. P. A. SorokinHarvard Research Center in AltruisticIntegration and CreativityEmerson HallCambridge 3S, Mass.Dear Er. Sorokin:Professor Hargeneu received your letter of May 2Sthjust as he was rusnint: away to attend a conference in Denver,and has asked me to write at once to soy how delighted he,Mr. Kunn and the rest of us are that yoi'. will ta'te part inTopic No. 5, "The Supraconscious in Human Personalityand Culture", will be excellent. It is an exciting title andwe are looking forward tc the lecture, union will probably fallon Karch 25th or thereabouts. If this should by some chance notbe suitable, we can doubtless arrange a mut'ielly convenient date.Professor Hargasira says that in his opinion it doesnot matter that you will not be able to be at the ;iew HampshireWorkshop because you are so much with us in spirit and soulanyway. He trusts that you will, however, permit him to keepin touch with you and tell you about the doings in lrew Hampshire.•ou his personal
Sorokin_IX_F_7_080
{\\OAJOncI iss liargaret WagnerTr.e Foundation for Integrated Education, Inc.Hooai 1605220 East Uind StreetNew York 17, N.Y.Dear tlaa Sagner:1 am very glad that ProfessorMargenau and Dr. Kuna honored me with the lecture.The tcpic and the data are quite suitable for bo.Pltirim A. Sorokin
Sorokin_IX_F_7_081
September 27, 1951Dr. Frits KunsThe Foundation forIntegrated Education, Inc.130 East diith StreetHew Icrk 17, Mew YorkDear Dr. KunstI thank the Foundation for a copy ofthe Readings for Integrative Concepts. ItJust carre and I am going to study it carefully in order tc fit ty lecture, to it asmuch aa it is poaeiblo.Very sincerely yours,Pitirim A. Sorokin
Sorokin_IX_F_7_082
October 2, 19.51Dear Sorokin:We send you enclosed a mimeographed sheet containing somesuggestions concerning the lectures to be given in the course"The Frontier of Knowledge". These suggestions summarize pointsmade at the Durham Conference.At this time we would like again to confirm that your talkwill be entitled "The Supraconscious in Hunan Personality andCulture", and will occur on March IS, 1952.For out of town lecturers vre have reserved a room at theBiltmore Hotel (U/jrd Street and Madison avenue), so that if theywish they can go there directly from the train.Dinner with members of the Foundation's staff at 7 o'clockon the evening of your talk, if this seems desirable to you, canbe arranged as a means of further familiarizing you with the program.Readings for the cCordially your3
Sorokin_IX_F_7_083
The Foundation For Inteo.hathp I:At the Durham Workshop, August 23rd to 29th, 1951, a special meeting onthe last day was devoted to the mechanics of running the course. The followingdirectives were put forth by the audience, chiefly on that occasion.1. It was felt that, all lectures should contain factual material plus a discussion of methodology. Some lectures are heavy with content alone; theyare most interesting and will, no doubt, be enjoyed by the students. Froman educational point of view, however, it seems desirable that a discussionof method, in the basic philosophical sense, be added where this is possible.2. Throughout the course there should be stress on integrative ideas, on fundamental principles which form vistas leading from one discipline to another.This was illustrated in connection with Margenau's first lecture in thefollowing way. He elaborated at the end of his talk three key issues:a. Science has now accepted action at a distance rather generallyla favor of contact forces. This made possible the applicationof physical methods (the field concept) to a considerable varietyof other disciplines.i in quantum mechanics) thee. The controversy between vitalism and mechanism has ceased to bemeaningful because physical science no longer regards the Rube-Goldberg type of mechanics as adequate.The synoptic qualities of points a, b, and c, were made evident at theDurham meeting, and the audience felt that all lectures should havesimilar integrative summaries.The educators present at the workshop felt keenly that there should bemore continuity between the lectures than chance could be relied uponto produce. This poses a difficult problem for the chairman. The suggestion here made ia merely that participants in the course endeavor,so far as time permits and as seems reasonable, to familiarize themselveswith the contents of preceding and succeeding lectures. To this end we,(of the Foundation office staff) intend to transcribe, revise-, and (aftersubmission to the lecturer) circulate each lecture for these special privateoperating purposes. The source book which will be in your hands can serveas a vehicle for continuity.
Sorokin_IX_F_7_084
h. The meetings ended with one very specific proposal which the Chairmanhas accepted. It is that Margenau should use the sixth lecture of thefirst term, now called "Summary", to present the elements of his methodology of physical science. It waa felt that this provided a measure ofunification and a tie-up between the preceding lectures. In the lastlecture of the first term, Horthrop would then take up the same train ofthought and generalize It by applications to a wider field. This lastsuggestion need have very little effect upon the contents of other lectures because the framework of Margeaau's discussion (in terms of sensedata, or theoretical constructs end epistemic correlations or rules ofcorrespondence) is wide enough to accommodate their substance.5. Your audience will be about 115 persons and heterogenous, consisting ofa block of graduate students in education, representatives of fund-granting foundations, university and college professors, high schoolteachers, social workers, and all ranks of the general public, with andwithout higher education.6. Although simplicity is therefore called for, we hope all will bear Inmind the emphasis upon modern exact science's conceptually significantcontent, so that material will accumulate upon which all can draw, andespecially those most responsible for elucidation and transfer of method,7. The sessions run from 8:10 p.m. to 9:55 P-m. and are broken into twoparts, about 50 minutes of organised discourse, a break of five to sevenminutes, followed by questions and discussion.Detailed arrangements concerning the second term are now in progress.Note: If a projector is required for your lecture, please advise usnow, or at least two weeks in advance of the lecture date,the type needed.

Pages