Sociology [pp. 303-323]

SOCIOLOGY.
ACH of the sciences which, by giving to man greater
knowledge of the laws of nature, has enabled him to cope
more intelligently with the ills of life, has had to fight for its
independence of metaphysics. We have still lectures on metaphysical biology in some of our colleges and in some of our
public courses, but biology has substantially won its independence. Anthropology is more likely to give laws to metaphysics
than to accept laws from that authority. Sociology, however,
the latest of this series of sciences, is rather entering upon the
struggle than emerging from it. Sociology threatens to withdraw an immense range of subjects of the first importance from
the dominion of a priori speculation and arbitrary dogmatism,
and the struggle will be severe in proportion to the dignity and
importance of the subject. The struggle, however, is best carried forward indirectly, by simply defining the scope of sociology, and by vindicating its position amongst the sciences,'while
leaving its relations to the other sciences and other pursuits of
men to adjust themselves according to the facts. I know of
nothing more amusing in these days than to see an old-fashioned metaphysician applying his tests to the results of scientific investigation, and screaming with rage because men of
scientific training do not care whether the results satisfy those
tests or not.
Sociology is the science of life in society. It investigates
the forces which come into action wherever a human society
exists. It studies the structure and functions of the organs of
human society, and its aim is to find out the laws' in subordi
1 It has been objected that no proof is offered that social laws exist in the order
of nature. By what demonstration could any such proof be given apriori? If a