THE ORGANIC CONCEPT OF SOCIETY 147 
analysis of social mind by M. M. Davis.!_ His outline is as 
follows: — 
1. The sum of common mental con- 
tent (ideas and sentiments) of the 
Objective members of a society. 
z. The common mental qualities and 
characteristics of such members. 
3. Common mental content, com- 
mon mental qualities and charac- 
teristics, which are realized by 
these members to be common. 
Subjective ; 4. Common mental content and 
qualities so realized, and function- 
ing therefore as dynamic social 
agents upon the individuals dur- 
ing childhood and maturity. 
Static 
Aspect 
Social Mind 4 
Dynamic 
Aspect 
Davis seems to feel that by social mind we should mean 3 
and 4, both subjective aspects, the former static whereas the 
latter is dynamic. 
In its essence and practical important bearings, the social mind is to be 
viewed subjectively. Common beliefs, sentiments, and determinations, 
exist only in individual minds. They influence individual thoughts and acts. 
They are essentially independent of any individual in the sense that they 
would continue to be influential if any one man containing them was removed 
from society. But we call these common beliefs, etc., a social mind, not 
merely because they are held in common but because of something more. 
They become social and make of society a psychic unity, because of the way 
in which individuals regard them. They are realized to be common. Be- 
liefs or tendencies, once thought of as common, acquire a new relation to the 
individual because of this realization. They become dynamic agents, 
influencing action directly and powerfully. 
This is Ellwood’s position: “‘ Society as a group of individuals 
carrying on a common life process, thinks, feels and wills only 
through its individual members. Society . . . must be thought 
of as a complex unity made up of many individual psychic units 
that are in interaction, continually affecting and modifying each 
other, so that the only unity which we have in society is a unity of 
process.” 2 
Worms certainly made a good point when he held that social 
consciousness was like the personal ego because the essential 
characteristic of being is doing. ‘“ Was wirkt, wie das sociale 
1 Columbia University Studies, xxxiii, p. 68. 2 Ob. cit., Pp. 330. 
