Social Sciences
Essays by speakers in social science professions.
Brown, Ina Corinne
Ina Brown, Professor of Social Anthropology at Scarritt College, summarizes her four basic beliefs; to preserve one’s personal integrity, to refrain from judging others, to persevere in the face of adversity, and to fulfill one’s obligation to work towards a peaceful society.
Listen to the essay
Glueck, Nelson, 1900-1972
Nelson Glueck, archaeologist and President of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, recounts an experience in which he tried but failed to out-pedal a rain storm while cycling through the countryside, and describes how this experience helped form his belief that he should never try to run from difficult life circumstances.
Listen to the essay
Johnson, Charles Spurgeon
Charles Johnson, African American sociologist and President of Fisk University, describes how his great-grandfather’s experience with slavery, his father’s experience as a Baptist minister, and his own college experience in social services have helped to shape his belief that “no man can be justly judged until you’ve looked at the world through his eyes.”
Listen to the essay
MacIver, Robert M. (Robert Morrison), 1882-1970
Robert MacIver, chair of the Department of Sociology at Columbia University, describes his belief that no matter how thoroughly he pursues knowledge of the world, he realizes that there will always be aspects yet to be explained, leaving room for wonder in his view of the world.
Listen to the essay
Mead, Margaret, 1901-1978
Anthropologist Margaret Mead describes her belief that humans are born with the same inherent abilities, but each is formed by the culture in which he or she grows up; Mead believes it is through our relationship to civilization that we derive meaning, and that we must strive to build a civilization whose future is secure and free.
Listen to the essay
Murray, Henry A. (Henry Alexander), 1893-1988
Henry Murray, psychologist and Professor of Social Relations at Harvard University, describes his belief that the world will not be able to progress and escape the threat of atomic war until a synthesized philosophy of eastern and western ideals can be adopted by thousands, and a world government achieved.
Listen to the essay
Parrish, Charles Henry, 1899-1989
Charles Parrish, an African American sociology professor at the University of Louisville, remembers his childhood and how his parents shaped his present belief that it is always good to help people and look for the goodness in people.
Listen to the essay