THE AMERICAN SOCIOLOGIST 103 



opinion. The free publication of such inexpert A^ews only 

 goes to prove the rather diffuse character of sociological 

 thought at the present time. It proves that sociology is 

 to-day in the same broad channel in which the sciences of 

 physiology, anatom}^ and chemistr}' ran three or four centuries 

 ago. Early in the sixteenth century the study of anatomy 

 was really a popular pastime, in which any man who Avas in 

 the humor could constitute himself an original investigator. 

 Anatomy was a popular amusement, and lectures in anatomy 

 were given freely before lay audiences. At the same time, 

 the specialist was beginning to emerge, and specialism be- 

 came more and more prominent and esoteric as the sum of 

 anatomical knowledge increased. 



Now the very same is true of the new science of sociology 

 here in America. The public is rapidly becoming possessed 

 of a curious interest in the causes of social phenomena, and 

 in the structure of the body social, and the social philosopher 

 is listened to with attention wherever he can be induced to 

 make a public address or to share with the laity some of the 

 fruits of his thought. But the prospect is that sociology, like 

 anatomy, will soon pass beyond the reach of the popular mind, 

 even in its simplest conceptions. Indeed, we may say that in 

 its deeper currents it has already acquired a highly esoteric 

 character. This esotericism must inevitably increase with 

 time, and this increase in specialization will only serve so to 

 narrow its channels that it will ultimately become a science 

 for the very few who will devote themselves to its special 

 cultivation. 



A severe criticism, perhaps, may be made upon the view 

 of American scholarship taken in this paper. It may be 

 argued that to prefer the sociologists mentioned herein to the 

 world renowned statesmen and jurists produced by the 

 United States, is narrow to an intolerable degree. And yet if 

 the matter be sifted out it will be seen that the view here taken 

 of scholarship is necessary and logical. It is a fact that this 

 soil has given birth to no science; that it has produced no 

 great generalizer, of a fame commensurate with that of the 

 European masters. The scientific work of the world is done 

 to-day in Europe and not elsewhere. Scientific traditions 



