Philip Rieff Quotes

Sociologist
USA
1922

Philip Rieff was an American sociologist and cultural critic known for his influential works on the relationship between culture and psychology. He was born in 1922 and passed away in 2006. Rieff’s most notable work is “The Triumph of the Therapeutic: Uses of Faith after Freud,” published in 1966, which explores the decline of traditional religious beliefs and the rise of psychotherapy in Western culture. He also wrote extensively on the works of Sigmund Freud and Max Weber, and his ideas have had a significant impact on fields such as sociology, psychology, and philosophy. Rieff’s other notable works include “Freud: The Mind of the Moralist” and “The Crisis of the Officer Class.” He is considered a key figure in the study of culture and its impact on individual and societal values.Read Less

3 Top Philip Rieff Quotes

Religious man was born to be saved, psychological man is born to be pleased. Feraz Zeid, December 23, 2023, Philip Rieff, Psychological, religious, 0

- Philip Rieff

Sociologist

· USA

Religion may have been the original cure; Freud reminds us that it was also the original disease. Feraz Zeid, December 23, 2023, Philip Rieff, Disease, Religion, 0

- Philip Rieff

Sociologist

· USA

Reason cannot save us, nothing can; but reason can mitigate the cruelty of living. Feraz Zeid, December 23, 2023, Philip Rieff, Cruelty, 0

- Philip Rieff

Sociologist

· USA

Cruelty

Philip Rieff Career Highlights

Rieff received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Chicago in 1943 and went on to earn his Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Columbia University.
He began his academic career as a professor of social theory at Brandeis University in 1959 and later taught at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of California, Berkeley.
Rieff’s first major work, “Freud: The Mind of the Moralist,” was published in 1959 and established him as a leading scholar in the field of psychoanalytic theory.
In 1966, he published his most famous work, “The Triumph of the Therapeutic: Uses of Faith after Freud,” which explored the decline of traditional religious and moral values in Western society and the rise of a therapeutic culture.
Rieff’s other notable works include “The Feeling Intellect: Selected Writings” (1969), “Fellow Teachers: Of Culture and Its Second Death” (1973), and “Charisma: The Gift of Grace, and How It Has Been Taken Away from Us” (2007).
He was a visiting professor at various universities around the world, including Harvard, Yale, and the University of Chicago.
Rieff was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Philosophical Society.

Key Contributions by Philip Rieff

Rieff’s most significant contribution to sociology and cultural criticism was his analysis of the impact of psychoanalytic theory on Western society. He argued that the rise of a therapeutic culture, which prioritizes individual happiness and self-fulfillment, has led to the decline of traditional moral and religious values.
He also explored the concept of “charisma” and its role in shaping cultural and political movements. Rieff believed that the loss of traditional sources of authority and meaning has led to a search for charismatic leaders and movements to fill the void.
Rieff’s work has been highly influential in the fields of sociology, psychology, and cultural studies. His ideas have been cited and debated by scholars and intellectuals around the world.

What Sets Philip Rieff Apart

Rieff’s interdisciplinary approach to sociology, drawing on psychoanalytic theory, anthropology, and philosophy, set him apart from other sociologists of his time.
He was known for his sharp and incisive writing style, which made his complex ideas accessible to a wider audience.
Rieff’s work was often controversial, challenging traditional beliefs and values and sparking debates among academics and intellectuals.

Takeaways

Rieff’s work continues to be relevant and influential in understanding the cultural and social changes of the modern world.
His analysis of the impact of psychoanalytic theory on society has been widely debated and has influenced the fields of psychology and sociology.
Rieff’s work serves as a reminder of the importance of traditional moral and religious values in maintaining social order and providing meaning and purpose in life.

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