Nauka o postanku čovjeka: Uvod u sociologiju

This is one of the most important sociological works published in Croatia in the first half of the 20th century. The book represents a systematic introduction to sociology with an emphasis on the anthropological and historical roots of human society – from prehistoric man and primitive communities to the development of complex social structures.

Ljubomir Živković approaches the topic as an evolutionist and sociologist, combining insights from biology, anthropology, history and philosophy. The work explores how a social being emerged from a biological being, what forces shape social relations, and what are the basic laws of social development. The author pays special attention to the problem of social superstructure, the relationship between the material conditions of life and spiritual culture, and the role of consciousness in the historical process.

The style is clear and systematic, typical of university textbooks of that time, but with a visible influence of the European sociological schools of the time (especially French and German). The book was published in the turbulent period of 1941, which gives it additional historical context.

Ljubomir Živković was a prolific writer and sociologist who, in his work (other important books are Društvena nadgradnja, Teorija socijalnih zaštaj and Uvod u istoriju ljudske svihce), sought to build an independent sociological theory in the Yugoslav context.

Today, this edition is rare on the antiquarian market and sought after among collectors of sociological literature, historians of science and researchers of the intellectual history of Croatia and Yugoslavia in the 20th century. It represents a valuable insight into the development of sociological thought in the region before World War II.