THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIOLOGY I 59
Sociologists have by no means reached a consensus compa- rable, for example, with that of the economists, but when varia- tions in terminology have been eliminated, a considerable and ever-widening area of agreement emerges from the apparent con- fusion. Thus as to society in general all agree that it is ( I ) a product of physical and psychical forces, (2) working in an evo- lutionary process in which (3) at first predominantly instinctive activities later yield in some measure to (4) reflective and pur- poseful policies. This view regards society as (5) organic in the general, not specific, sense of the term. As to the social group as a type of common mental life it is further agreed that ( i ) indi- viduals in their very personal growth unconsciously incorporate the standard of their group, by which they are, furthermore, (2) coerced into conscious conformity. The uniforming influence of imitation and group ascendency is counteracted by (3) leaders or authorities who initiate new ideas and activities to be selected and appropriated by all. Between such leaders with their fol- lowers a (4) struggle for ascendency ensues. This results ultimately in (5) a relatively permanent body of customs, and institutions imbedded in feeling; i. e., group tradition or char- acter. When the members of the group are aware of common ideals and purposes a (6) social consciousness is developed.
If the tests of a science be formulation of laws and power to predict, sociology is not far advanced on the road to a scientific status. Such laws as have been put into definite form are too often either somewhat axiomatic or platitudinous, or are philo- sophical rather than strictly scientific. Nevertheless, especially in the field of social psychology, more successful results have been achieved. Principles closely approaching in insight and accuracy the unquestioned laws of economics have been enunciated, and promise of progress in this direction is not wanting. 52 As to prediction, which is conditioned on the formulation of principles, naturally the sociologist is even more cautious than the economist about foretelling a result in a given concrete case. Certainly the point has not been reached when the sociologist is justified in dogmatizing on the basis of his scientific principles.
" Cf. Ross, " Recent Tendencies in Sociology," Quarterly Journal of Econom- ics, August, 1902.
