8 14 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



carded by the best-known sociologists of the present time. There is 

 a general tendency to adopt a broad definition of the province of soci- 

 ology, to include in the field of investigation all the phenomena of 

 social structure and growth. 



But what is the relation of this general social science to the special 

 social sciences that is, the sciences dealing with special groups of 

 social phenomena, as economics, politics, and jurisprudence? Is so- 

 ciology anything more than a convenient collective name for the sum 

 of all these? Touching this point opinions differ.* 



At least three different conceptions of the relation of sociology 

 to the various special social sciences may be distinguished. Sociology 

 has been defined as (1) the " inclusive," as (2) the " co-ordinating," 

 and as (3) the " fundamental " science of society. 1. The first con- 

 ception is that of Spencer and De Greef . Spencer defines sociology 

 as "the science of society," and defends his adoption of the term 

 on the ground that " no other name sufficiently comprehensive ex- 

 isted." This implies that he conceives of sociology as an inclusive 

 science. De Greef, the Belgian sociologist, makes the science all 

 comprehensive; his scheme of classification "includes everything, 

 from the husbanding of corn and wine to electioneering contests in 

 the Institute of France." f 2. The second conception is that of 

 Professor Small, of Chicago. He defines sociology as " the synthesis 

 of all the particular social sciences." It does not include, it co- 

 ordinates these sciences. It concerns itself with the relations which 

 the various special groups of social phenomena hold to each other 

 and to society as a whole, leaving to special social sciences the study 

 of each group in minute detail. The conclusions won by these 

 special sciences are taken by sociology and worked over into a body 

 of correlated social principles. Sociology is, therefore, subsequent 

 to the particular social sciences and dependent upon them. 3. The 

 third conception is that of Professor Giddings, of Columbia Uni- 

 versity. He defines sociology as " the science of social elements and 

 first principles." It is "not merely the sum of the social sciences; 

 it is rather their common basis." It undertakes to analyze the gen- 

 eral characteristics of social phenomena and to formulate the laws 

 of social organization and evolution. Sociology furnishes a body 

 of fundamental principles which make a common basis for the special 

 social sciences. The latter rest on sociology, which is the antecedent 

 and fundamental social science. 



Now a little reflection will show that these three conceptions of 

 sociology do not conflict, but harmonize. There is no real opposition 



* See for the following : H. H. Powers. Terminology and the Sociological Conference, 

 in Annals of the American Academy, March, 1895. 

 f See Giddings. Principles of Sociology, p. 29. 



