Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 10.djvu/329

 SOCIAL POLICY TOWARD DEPENDENTS 317

I.

A social policy is not aimless and irrational, but moves toward an end, seeks to realize a good. Soon or late, social science, in the course of its development and specialization, must encounter the problem of values and standards which does not complicate the studies of inorganic nature, as chemistry, physics, and astronomy, and only incidentally biology. Thus, for example, we are form- ing judgments as to the best methods of dealing with dependents. What do we mean by "best" ? We are really thinking of the welfare of dependents and of the people of the community of which they are members. Many specific ends we have in mind; as the restoration of the sick and the insane to health, or the mitigation of distress when cure is impossible; the improvement of the touch, hearing, sight, and skill of the feeble-minded; the proper nutrition and development of neglected infants; peaceful and quiet existence for aged men and women in almshouses ; and many more such purposes. We give social honor and praise to the rich men who endow hospitals, and to the physicians and nurses who faithfully give their lives to the sick. It is evident that modern societies act as if they knew that such ends are rational and worthy.

But there is both theoretical and practical interest in the wider scientific problem: What is the general social end? For we neither know the full extent of social obligation, nor the relative value of a particular object or institution, until we see the specific action in its place in a comprehensive system of ends. Our theory is incomplete and our system of agencies falls short, and our devices are either superfluous and exaggerated, or halting and inadequate, until our definition of the ultimate purpose of social action and conduct is clear and rationally justified. 6

Since we cannot, here at least, critically follow this argument to a satisfactory conclusion, we may assume what society actually takes for granted, and what we find implied in all social institu- tions, laws, societies, movements, governments that health, sanity, intelligence, morality, beauty, etc., are desirable for every human being.

See STAMMLER, Wirthschaft und Recht.