are not a priori notions. They are elements of the social situation. There is intolerable maladjustment, and the social pain goads us to find and remove its cause.
But this is getting far ahead of our argument, yet not too far ahead, if we are effectively reminded by the survey that the ultimate object of sociology is not mere pedantic trifling with academic abstractions. Its object is intensely and fundamentally practical.
After all the generalizing that sociology has done, and with the organized results of this work as a background, the most difficult task that sociologists have ever encountered is waiting to be undertaken, and it is immediately in order. It is the task of working out plans and specifications for an exhibit which will be the most complete demonstration human intelligence can reach, of the exact social situation in which we find ourselves. What are the meaning terms in our actual condition, and what do they mean?
To express it less abstractly. At what have we arrived, and in what direction lies progress?
The best beginning I have been able to make toward proposing an answer is in the following outline. It is an epitome by title only of the different sorts of thing that must be weighed and balanced in passing a comprehensive judgment upon the accomplished facts and the indicated needs in our social situation. Dr. Lester F. Ward has proposed the thesis: "The subject-matter of sociology is human achievement."[1] Without reference to abstract questions which the formula provokes, we are safe in saying that human achievement is surely included in the subject- matter of sociology. I have, therefore, acted upon Dr. Ward's suggestion, and have made the outline in terms of achievement.
In this schedule no attempt is made to indicate degrees of importance of the different specifications. Many of the titles stand for complex groups of activities, which must be analyzed and appraised. Other titles, which stand in this catalogue as co-ordinate with those just referred to, represent details that are trifling in comparison with the chief factors.
- ↑ Pure Sociology, pp. 15 et passim.
