Jamshid Behnam
Encyclopedia
Jamshid Behnam is an Iran
ian sociologist, writer, and translator. He is known for his work in the development of sociology
and modernization
in 20th century–Iran. He is a published author of books on Demographics
, Sociology
of Iran
, Family Structure, and Modernity.
As a sociologist, throughout his career, Behnam has collaborated in the work of international sociological and scientific associations. He has been a member, holding senior executive positions in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
, working with the International Social Science Council
.
. In 1958, he received his Ph.D.
degree in sociology from the Sorbonne
(Université René Descartes, Paris-V), where he worked under the supervision of Georges Balandier
.
.
In 1957, Behnam, along with Gholam Hossein Sadiqi, Ehsan Naraghi
, Shapour Rasekh formed the first group of French-trained Iranian sociologists. In 1958, they established the Institute for Social Studies and Research (ISSR), initially located at the summer palace of Fat′h-Ali Shah, the King of Qajar dynasty
. Attached to the faculty of Social Sciences of Tehran University, the Institute was the first research center in Iran.
From 1959 to 1974, Behnam served as the Professor of Demography, Dean of Faculty of Social Science, and Vice President of Tehran University. He has also worked as the Deputy Secretary General of the World Council of Social Sciences in Paris
, and Professor of Sociology at the Paris Descartes University.
Behnam is known for his critique of Western literary culture and persona, stating that it represents the moral bankruptcy of the Western civilization. He has clarified his understanding of West, stating that it includes "[a]ll countries that have based their economic, social, and political system upon a European civilization that had inherited Greek philosophy
, Roman
statecraft
, and Christian
ecclesiasticism." He has further stated that "none of the four mythical characters of Western civilization, that is, Faust
, Hamlet
, Don Juan
, or Don Quixote represent the material spirit of that civilization. Instead, each one of them in wandering in pursuit of a utopian end, totally alien from the economic principles of the West." For the most part, as a result of the writings of Behnam, critique of the West has remained representative of Iranian ethical integrity.
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
ian sociologist, writer, and translator. He is known for his work in the development of sociology
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
and modernization
Modernization
In the social sciences, modernization or modernisation refers to a model of an evolutionary transition from a 'pre-modern' or 'traditional' to a 'modern' society. The teleology of modernization is described in social evolutionism theories, existing as a template that has been generally followed by...
in 20th century–Iran. He is a published author of books on Demographics
Demographics
Demographics are the most recent statistical characteristics of a population. These types of data are used widely in sociology , public policy, and marketing. Commonly examined demographics include gender, race, age, disabilities, mobility, home ownership, employment status, and even location...
, Sociology
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
of Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
, Family Structure, and Modernity.
As a sociologist, throughout his career, Behnam has collaborated in the work of international sociological and scientific associations. He has been a member, holding senior executive positions in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
, working with the International Social Science Council
International Social Science Council
The International Social Science Council is an international organisation that aims to promote the social and behavioural sciences. It was founded in 1952, under the auspices of UNESCO.-External links:* **...
.
Personal background
Jamshid Behnam was born in 1928 in TehranTehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
. In 1958, he received his Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
degree in sociology from the Sorbonne
Sorbonne
The Sorbonne is an edifice of the Latin Quarter, in Paris, France, which has been the historical house of the former University of Paris...
(Université René Descartes, Paris-V), where he worked under the supervision of Georges Balandier
Georges Balandier
Georges Balandier is a French sociologist, anthropologist and ethnologist noted for his research in Sub-Saharan Africa...
.
Professional background
Behnam is the founding President and Chancellor of the Farabi Institute of Higher Education affiliated with the International University of Iran and licensed under the Ministry of Science, Research and TechnologyMinistry of Science, Research and Technology (Iran)
The Ministry of Science, Research and Technology is the government ministry of science, research and technology in the Islamic Republic of Iran...
.
In 1957, Behnam, along with Gholam Hossein Sadiqi, Ehsan Naraghi
Ehsan Naraghi
Ehsān Narāghi, PhD is an Iranian sociologist and writer.-Biography:During his high school he went to Dar ol-Fonoon in Tehran. Then he studied sociology in the University of Geneva and received his Ph.D at Sorbonne University in Paris....
, Shapour Rasekh formed the first group of French-trained Iranian sociologists. In 1958, they established the Institute for Social Studies and Research (ISSR), initially located at the summer palace of Fat′h-Ali Shah, the King of Qajar dynasty
Qajar dynasty
The Qajar dynasty was an Iranian royal family of Turkic descent who ruled Persia from 1785 to 1925....
. Attached to the faculty of Social Sciences of Tehran University, the Institute was the first research center in Iran.
From 1959 to 1974, Behnam served as the Professor of Demography, Dean of Faculty of Social Science, and Vice President of Tehran University. He has also worked as the Deputy Secretary General of the World Council of Social Sciences in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, and Professor of Sociology at the Paris Descartes University.
Behnam is known for his critique of Western literary culture and persona, stating that it represents the moral bankruptcy of the Western civilization. He has clarified his understanding of West, stating that it includes "[a]ll countries that have based their economic, social, and political system upon a European civilization that had inherited Greek philosophy
Greek philosophy
Ancient Greek philosophy arose in the 6th century BCE and continued through the Hellenistic period, at which point Ancient Greece was incorporated in the Roman Empire...
, Roman
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
statecraft
Public administration
Public Administration houses the implementation of government policy and an academic discipline that studies this implementation and that prepares civil servants for this work. As a "field of inquiry with a diverse scope" its "fundamental goal.....
, and Christian
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
ecclesiasticism." He has further stated that "none of the four mythical characters of Western civilization, that is, Faust
Faust
Faust is the protagonist of a classic German legend; a highly successful scholar, but also dissatisfied with his life, and so makes a deal with the devil, exchanging his soul for unlimited knowledge and worldly pleasures. Faust's tale is the basis for many literary, artistic, cinematic, and musical...
, Hamlet
Hamlet
The Tragical History of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, or more simply Hamlet, is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1599 and 1601...
, Don Juan
Don Juan
Don Juan is a legendary, fictional libertine whose story has been told many times by many authors. El burlador de Sevilla y convidado de piedra by Tirso de Molina is a play set in the fourteenth century that was published in Spain around 1630...
, or Don Quixote represent the material spirit of that civilization. Instead, each one of them in wandering in pursuit of a utopian end, totally alien from the economic principles of the West." For the most part, as a result of the writings of Behnam, critique of the West has remained representative of Iranian ethical integrity.
Published works
- Behnam, Jamshid. Tahavolat-e khanevadeh, 2004.
- Behnam, Jamshid. The Berliners, 2000.
- Behnam, Jamshid. Iranians and modernity thought, 1996.
- Behnam, Jamshid. Contemporary Discourse on Modernity in Iran.
- Behnam, Jamshid. Nation-State, Identity and Modernity.
- Behnam, Jamshid. Iranian Society: Modernity and Globalization.
- Behnam, Jamshid. Iranians and Modernism, Tehran: Farzan. Rouz Press, 1996.
- Behnam, Jamshid. Family Events.
- Behnam, Jamshid. Introduction to Sociology.