Elaborate on Pitirim Sorokin's theory of Weltanschauung and the transition it undergoes. Also analyze whether it is appropriate to characterize such a notion of change as a cyclical theory of social change.

Instead of viewing civilizations into terms of development and decline, he proposed that they fluctuate between

two cultural extremes : sensate, ideational. Sensate culture stresses those things which can be perceived directly by senses. It is practical, hedonistic, sensual and materialistic.

Ideational culture emphasizes those things which can be perceived only by mind. It is abstract, religious, concerned with faith and ultimate truth, spirituality. It is opposite of sensate.

But both type represents 'ideal' or 'pure' type of culture. Thus no society ever fully conforms to either. As culture of a society develops towards one type, it is countered by the opposing cultural force. Thus the process is reversed towards opposite type of culture. This too much emphasis on one type of culture leads to a reaction in society. Society contain both these impulses in various degree and tensions.

Between these extremes, lie 'ideastic' culture. This is a blend of two but society doesn't seem to achieve it.

Sorokin's theory is not accepted as a pure cyclical theory as it doesn't define rise and fall of civilization. Also it suffers from his prejudice with modern society and its values.

It is not like Spengler's cyclical theory which considered civilization like a biological organism -with a life cycle and that western society has reached its last stage of development and is in decay now perpetuated by wars, conflicts etc.

However Sorokin's theory brought new paradigm to study of social change and aspect of 'materialism' and 'spirituality' in study of civilization. Ideastic society can be a panacea for all ills of today, marred by extremes.