Puritan, Paranoid, Remissive: A Sociology of Modern Culture

Puritan, Paranoid, Remissive is a 1977 book that explores the process of Western society's transformation in the twentieth century, questioning sociological assumptions and proposing three-character types to represent the decline of individual authority. The author suggests that the pathology of contemporary Westerners results from their futile attempts to adapt their Puritan disposition to their hedonist ideals. The book is of interest to students of sociology, philosophy, history, and political science.

Format: Hardback
Length: 158 pages
Publication date: 01 September 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

First published in 1977, "Puritan, Paranoid, Remissive" delves into the profound transformation of Western society during the twentieth century. John Carroll, the author, challenges prevailing sociological assumptions and goes beyond mere descriptions of economic, governmental, educational, familial, occupational, leisure, and artistic changes to explore the deeper historical roots behind these transformations. He presents three distinct character types, or psychological dispositions, to represent the fading "Puritan past," the immediate "paranoid past," which exemplifies society's transitional crisis, and the emerging "remissive future," whose ideology already permeates the present. These types serve as a reflection of Carroll's central theme—the historical decline of individual authority.

Carroll asserts that culture has outpaced character, particularly in the realm of the upper middle class, known as the bourgeoisie. He proposes the emergence of a new "remissive culture" from the remnants of the old Puritan order. He concludes that the pathology of contemporary Westerners, characterized by their futile attempts to reconcile their enduring Puritan disposition with their hedonistic ideals, stems from this transformation.

The twenty-first century holds remnants of this profound shift, making it of immense interest to students of sociology, philosophy, history, and political science. "Puritan, Paranoid, Remissive" offers a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the societal shifts that have shaped our world, providing valuable insights into the complex dynamics of human behavior and the forces that have shaped our collective history.

Weight: 460g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032333663