Benjamin Nelson

Benjamin Nelson (1911 – September 17, 1977) was a sociologist that explored the historical development and nature of civilizations. He held positions at University of Chicago, University of Minnesota, Stony Brook University and after 1966 New School for Social Research.^[1][2]

He was a founder member and vice president (1976–1977) of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion and the first America President (1971–1977) of the International Society for the Comparative Study of Civilizations.^[3]

Major publications

• B. Nelson, The Idea of Usury: From Tribal Brotherhood to Universal Otherhood (Princeton University Press, 1949; 2nd ed., University of Chicago Press, 1969)
• B. Nelson, "The Future of Illusions," Psychoanalysis 2, 4(1954):16-37
• B. Nelson, "Scholastic Rationales of 'Conscience', Early Modern Crises of Credibility, and the Scientific-Technocultural Revolutions of the 17th and 20th Centuries," Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 7(1968):157-177
• B. Nelson, "Max Weber's 'Author's Introduction' (1920)," Sociological Inquiry 44(1974):269-278
• B. Nelson, "Max Weber, Ernst Troeltsch, and Georg Jellinek as Comparative Historical Sociologists," Sociological Analysis 36(1975):229-240
• B. Nelson, "On Orient and Occident in Max Weber," Social Research 43(1976):114-129
• B. Nelson, On the Roads to Modernity (Totowa, N.J.: Rowman & Little-field, 1981).

Books on Benjamin Nelson

• Vytautas Kavolis, E.V. Walter, E. Leites, M.C. Nelson. Civilizations East and West: A Memorial Volume for Benjamin Nelson. Atlantic Highlands, NJ: Humanities Press 1985.

References

1. Nielsen, Donald A. (1998) Encyclopedia of Religion and Society, "Benjamin Nelson", AltaMira Press.
2. September 20, 1977, "Dr Benjamin Nelson, prof of sociology and history at the New School for Social Research, dies on Sep 17 at age 66" New York Times, Page 44, Column 4
3. About the ISCSC Archived January 12, 2012 at the Wayback Machine