Robert N. Bellah
February 23, 1927 – July 30, 2013
Robert N. Bellah was a preeminent American sociologist of religion whose work explored the fundamental question of the meaning of modernity. He deeply investigated the relationship between individualism and community in American society, warning against the dangers of unchecked individualism devoid of social responsibility. His research illuminated the values foundational to democratic institutions and examined the evolution of religion from the Paleolithic era through the Axial Age. Bellah's extensive scholarship offers valuable insights into the dynamics of American society and the profound quest for meaning in modern life.