Social views of Maironis

The clergy takes a very importam place in the history of Lithuanian socio logy. Alongside with K. Paltarokas, K. Šaulys, A. Kaupas, S. Šultė and a great number of other representatives of the clergy, Maironis (1862-1932) was also interested in sočiai problems and tried to fmd ways for solving them. His contribution to the field is, undoubtedly, of major significance. In 1906, working as professor at Ihe Ecclesiastical Academy of Sanct Peterburg Maironis established the Chair of Sociology, thus providing the students with the opportunity to get acąuainted with the sočiai problems of the time that were becoming more and more urgent (it is to be reminded that the Chair of Sociology at Vilnius University was established only in 1988). Maironis focuses on sočiai problems not only in his writings on politics and public affairs ("About Lithuanian Beggars", "Christian Teaching on Social Order in accordance with Leo XIII Encyclics", 'Theological Concept of Land Property", etc.) but also in his fictional epic works (libretto "What Is the Way to Salvation?", poems "The Young Lithuania", "Magdė from Raseiniai") and although, according to the experts of literature, these works cannot be comparable with his poetry, in the sense of civic virtues they represent one of the best qualities of the poet. Maironis thought that sočiai problems mušt be solved by general agreement between all classes of the society avoiding any force, revolutions and other actions contrary to human nature. He stands categorically for the protection of the property right, especially, land property. The motto proclaimed by Maironis, which is "We'll take the plough (work), the book (science, education) and the lyre (culture, art)" remains topical today, since it is difficult to imagine Lithuania's future without all these values