Ginsberg, Morris (1889–1970)

Morris Ginsberg, born into a Lithuanian Jewish community within the Russian empire, was educated in classical Hebrew and started his career as a Talmudic scholar. Nevertheless, he became a leading English sociologist, philosopher, and humanist. He obtained a master's degree in philosophy at University College in London in 1910. Ginsberg briefly taught philosophy in 1921, then became an assistant in the sociology department, and finally achieved a lectureship in the philosophy department in 1924. He became the Martin White Professor of Sociology at the London School of Economics in 1929 and then succeeded Leonard Hobhouse (1864–1929) as sociology department chair. Elected a fellow in the British Academy, Ginsberg became professor emeritus in 1968. Ginsberg and Hobhouse enjoyed substantial success with their collaborative writings.

Ginsberg concerned himself with both rational and irrational elements of humans. In his view, people in society expect reason to achieve more in terms of arranging and organizing social relations. Ginsberg asserted that the rationality of political action collides with human irrationality. As a result, he focused on the psyche and its connection with human interactions and formalized institutions.

Ginsberg encouraged human development by maintaining awareness of the institutional forces affecting the species. He contended that the complexity of human interaction involved accepting emotion as part of the political and social landscape. In the psychology of society, Ginsberg suggested that social changes are circular in nature; therefore, humans can be erratic and unpredictable. He stated that deconstructions of social trends are dependent upon clarification and evaluation of intricate aspects embedded in humanity; consequently, the complexities of human relationships and networks can manifest themselves in powerful factions and organizations. He viewed human consciousness as a unique entity and as a product of the numerous social roles humans acquire in their search for unity and purpose.

Ginsberg believed that there was a basic consistency or constant quality with regard to ethical codes and human relations; moreover, these rules are accepted practices in society. He took into account theories that interpret and predict trends of social developments, such as universalism and individualism. Ginsberg's research examined the link between moral attitudes and social structure. Ginsberg's theory of moral constructs in society included the uneven progress of morality and its dependency on formulating a coherent and reasonable conception of the common good. He was also concerned with generating enough interest and conviction to make the common good a viable reality.

The British Library of Political Economic Science houses an extensive array of Morris Ginsberg's correspondence, along with research notes on his books, articles, reviews, and papers. The content of Ginsberg's notes and lectures relates to social psychology, logic, religion, ethics, morals, and the impact of environment and heredity on class and race.