CONTENTS 



BOOK I 



CHAPTER I 



THE FUNDAMENTAL ERROR IN MODERN SOCJOLOGICAL STUDY 



PAGE 



Science during the middle of this century excited popular interest 



mainly on account of its bearing on the doctrines of Christianity . 3 



Its popularity is now beginning to depend on its bearing not on 



religious problems, but on social ..... 3 



Science itself is undergoing a corresponding change ... 4 



Its characteristic aim during the middle of the century was to deal with 



physical and physiological evolution . . . . . 4 



Its characteristic aim now is to deal with the evolution of society . 5 



Social science itself is not wholly new ..... 5 



What is new is the application to it of the evolutionary theory . 6 



This excites men by suggesting great social changes in the future, . 7 



which will give a speculative meaning to the history of humanity, . 8 



or secure for men now existing, or for their children, practical social 



advantages ....... 8 



Men have thus a double reason for being interested in social science, 



and sociologists a double reason for studying it ; . . . 9 



and it has attracted a number of men of genius, who have applied to it 



methods learned in the school of physical science ... 9 



Yet despite their genius and their diligence, all parties complain that 



the results of their study are inconclusive 10 



Professor Marshall and Mr. Kidd, for instance, complain of the fact, 



but can suggest no explanation of it . . . . 10 



What can the explanation be ? . . . . . . 1 1 



