Sorin M. Redulescu, born in 1946, was a true intellectual in such dishonest times, an authentic sociologist who maintained his moral uprightness when many faltered. We met in college, he was two years ahead of me. Then we often saw each other, he was an editor at Viitorul Social magazine, where we published articles and reviews. For some time, the place was in the building of the Sociological Center on Piața Romană. then on Strada Negustori. I used to go there to talk with him, Gheorghe Nicolae, Dan Banchu and other friends. Sorin was happy to tell me about the intrigues and maneuvers of various politicians. Then I left, he stayed.

In recent years, thanks to Facebook, we have rekindled warm friendships. A few days ago, I noticed that he no longer gave his usual “like” to texts on topics of mutual interest. Then I went to his page and saw two messages that alarmed me. I warned our friend, sociologist Sorin Mitulescu. A few hours ago I went to the page of one of his daughters. I hope to write something longer and more detailed about “Sorin M. Redulescu and the Fate of Sociology in Romania”.

Now, at a time of great separation, I wish him a peaceful sleep forever, he was a righteous and pure man. He defended the ethical and epistemic honor of Romanian sociology. He rejected pastoralist neo-traditionalism and xenophobic primordialism. He did not believe in essentialisms, ethnic, biological, social. He was a real hunter. When others went mad in the anomalous direction of protochronism, Sorin maintained synchronism. He wanted a European Romania, not a mystical and fanatical one. In a world of so many brainless radicalisms, he supported and practiced urbanism. He was a university professor, he wrote important books on topics related to the tradition of the great French sociologist Emile Durkheim: deviance, suicide, anomie. With his departure from us, the sociological discipline and Romanian culture as a whole will experience great losses. Sincere condolences to the family of the deceased. The article appeared on Contributors.ro