Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 10.djvu/198

 1 86 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

In closest connection with the race-question stands (9) the problem of war and peace. The short-sightedness of those enthu- siasts is more and more evident who regard perpetual peace as possible, because they see in war merely the caprice of the mighty of this world. In fact, it is more and more evident that wars are the consequence of social development; that is, (a) of the increase of population in reaction upon the life-conditions, and (b) of racial antitheses. Profound insight into the nature of politics shows that it would be much more profitable for society if we would treat this question without attempting to damn war off-hand, but if we would try to remove the causes of war.

The solution of the two problems last mentioned will, how- ever, be possible only when the whole realm of politics is raised from its present sphere of dilettantism, of diplomatic intrigue, or of personal interest, to a scientific discipline upon the basis of sociological intelligence. It is no longer in character that science should ignore the most conspicuous human activities, through which all the weal and woe of society is set in motion. The theory of politics, as the dynamics of the social forces, demon- strates the practical value of sociology. Only by means of a system of politics which has a firm hold upon the fundamental tendencies of social development, and which recognizes the needs of society, is it possible to reach the civilization of mankind, that is, a condition in which the common weal controls.

Next to the biological and the political problem in sig- nificance stands (10) the problem of positive ethics. It may be expressed in the question: To what extent is the prosperity of races, nations, states, and societies dependent upon their morality ? We know that the current anthropological conception credits morality with no significance in the destiny of peoples. This is because, from lack of a comprehensive sociological insight, it is not recognized that " good " and " bad " are in closest connection with the prosperity of the species.

Tributary to the solution of this question is ( 1 1 ) the problem of the morals and the education of men; which may be divided into the problem of the school, of the family, of the relation of the sexes to each other and in society. Let me merely observe in