Robert K. Merton's and Pitirim A. Sorokin's Concept 'Altruism': Conceptualisation and Operationalization for Sociological Research

Abstract

This study addresses the question of the conceptualization and operationalization of altruism in the works of two great sociologist - Robert K. Merton and Pitirim A. Sorokin. It investigates the meaning and the spheres of application of the word "altruism" in American and Russian sociological tradition. Concept "altruism" has been chosen because it is very popular in the modern sociological discourse and besides it can sufficiently represent functional approach of both sociologists. The data for the study comes from of two key works written by the two Robert K. Merton and Pitirim A. Sorokin. On the basis of this analysis our study proposes semantic explications and sociology research application of the word "altruism" as American and Russain spiritual concepts within the Paul F. Lazarsfeld's Sociological Research Methodology framework. To sum up, the article elaborates, describes and reveals similarities and differences in understanding of concept of altruism across the two works of Robert K. Merton and Pitirim A. Sorokin in relation to the nouns modified by this concept.

Keywords: conceptualization of altruism, altruism, Sociological Research Methodolog, sociological thought, inculturation