Jan Szczepański (sociologist)

Jan Szczepański (1913-2004) was a prominent Polish sociologist, philosopher, and educator. He is considered one of the most influential figures in the development of sociology in Poland after World War II.

Szczepański's academic career began before the war, but was interrupted by his involvement in the Polish resistance movement. After the war, he dedicated himself to rebuilding and shaping Polish sociology. He held professorships at the University of Łódź and the University of Warsaw, and served as director of the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology of the Polish Academy of Sciences.

His sociological work covered a wide range of topics, including social stratification, industrial sociology, the sociology of culture, and the sociology of education. He was particularly interested in the processes of social change and the impact of industrialization and modernization on Polish society. Szczepański's work often explored the tensions between individual agency and social structures. He emphasized the importance of empirical research and methodological rigor in sociological inquiry.

Key publications include:

• Socjologia. Rozwój problematyki i metod (Sociology: The Development of Problems and Methods)
• Elementarne pojęcia socjologii (Elementary Concepts of Sociology)
• Zmiany w strukturze klasowej społeczeństwa polskiego (Changes in the Class Structure of Polish Society)
• Indywidualność (Individuality)

Szczepański also played an active role in public life, serving as a member of the Polish parliament (Sejm) and participating in various committees and organizations focused on social and educational policy. He received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to sociology and Polish society. His work continues to be studied and discussed by sociologists in Poland and internationally.