Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 10.djvu/199

 THE PROBLEMS OF SOCIOLOGY 187

passing that the question of women's rights is passing through a phase which an age sociologically mature will look upon as the most incomprehensible confusion of humanity.

I will further merely suggest that these problems inevitably raise (12) the religious problem, respecting the philosophical truth of the religious need of mankind, of the ethical and ideal value of religion in general.

Following these chief problems there arises (13) the civic problem. This is the question as to the political divisions of mankind and of their territories. With this problem the ques- tion as to the sociological idea of the state will be answered. In accordance therewith the practical fulfilment of all the scientific syntheses of sociology is to be found in the state as the organiza- tion of power. Among these syntheses belong also the theories as to the relations of the state and of its citizens to society, and to humanity, because the latter make use of the state in order to make progress in satisfying their developing interests.

We see therefore that sociology discovers the principle that governs all social affairs. To solve in principle all social problems is its task. Sociology can do this because it takes account of the relationships in which these problems appear in their essen- tial connection with all existence. Sociology sets bounds to the arrogant narrowness of unlimited specialization. Sociology attempts to secure for the common weal the application of the tremendous results that have been reached by the special positive sciences.

The problems of sociology are thus also the problems of civilization, of humanity.

The totality of problems which we have spoken of as " funda- mental," " general." and " principal " indicates the essential con- tent of sociology as science. The problems increase in number in the degree in which sociology is stimulated by the tributary sciences to the solution of new problems. It will be the duty of sociology to organize the results of all scientific activities within the social realm into the sociological synthesis in order to main- tain itself constantly on a level with the highest social needs and with the results of science in general. If the world is really a