THE RELATION OF ETHICS TO SOCIAL SCIENCE 



BY FELIX ABLER 



[Felix Adler, hader of the Society for Ethical Culture, New York, Professor of 

 Political and Social Ethics, Columbia University, b. Germany, August 13, 

 1857. A. B. Columbia University; Ph.D. Heidelberg University. Member of 

 the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Ethics. Author of Creed 

 and Deed; Moral Instruction of Children; Life and Destiny; Religion of Duty; 

 Essentials of Spirituality.] 



THE subject which I shall treat in this paper is the relation of 

 ethics to social science, or, more precisely, I shall endeavor to answer 

 the question, Is social science capable of furnishing ethical impera- 

 tives? As the field to be traversed is extensive, and the time short, 

 I shall have to state my thought as succinctly as possible, and forego 

 the advantage of detailed elaboration and illustration. 



And let me begin by asking why it is that many persons at the 

 present day are turning with a view of obtaining ethical guidance 

 into a new direction; why a new science, like social science, is ex- 

 pected by them to furnish us with laws of conduct. The moral 

 philosopher, the legislator, the religious teacher have heretofore 

 been called upon to perform this task. Why is it that the social 

 scientist should be expected to relieve these of their function? The 

 reason is that we are in a state of ethical distress, and this in two 

 particulars. The moral code which we have received from the past 

 no longer adequately fits the needs of modern society. On many 

 urgent problems of the present day, such as the problem of read- 

 justment between the social classes, the problem of the extension or 

 limitation of the functions of the state, the problems of the family, 



- problems. all of which are felt to be ethical in their nature, that 

 is, dependent for their solution on a just conception of the ends 

 for which society exists, the moral codes of the past shed but 

 an insufficient and uncertain illumination. An enrichment of the 

 moral code is needed, and in the hope of obtaining this enrichment 

 of the content of morality the faces of men are set in the new direc- 

 tion. 



Again, we find ourselves in a state of ethical distress because the 

 authority of the prescribed morality in many quarters is being ques- 

 tioned. A widely prevalent skepticism, whether well founded or ill 

 founded, exists. How shall we act in difficult and complex cases? 

 What rules of conduct shall we employ? is the one question men put 

 to themselves. And why should we act thus and not otherwise? 

 Why should we submit to these onerous rules? What is the nature 

 and ground of the authority which they claim over our wills? is the 



