Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 15.djvu/154

140 La crise morale dans les sociétés contemporaines.—Contemporary societies have not yet succeeded in giving to their moral life a normal trend. The confusion is not less great in the doctrines than in the facts and doings of practical life. This moral crisis has two main causes: first, the profound changes which have come about in the industrial world and in political and social institutions; second, the great revival through which scientific and philosophic thought has opened to discussion the very basis of morality, and denied the reality of certain duties. Sociologists have emphasized the first cause; in reality the problem of the basis of the moral code is the essential thing. This basis, to be effective, must satisfy the critical exigencies of our reason, and the emotional tendencies of our heart.—M. Bureau, Bulletin de la société française de philosophie, April, 1908, p. 107.

Celibate Education Today.—We are facing an era of celibate education. The celibate man was a failure as a teacher; the celibate woman will fail in the schoolroom just as he did. Failure is the lot of each because each is abnormal. The best type of male teacher is the married man. But the married woman in the school is a still more abnormal exemplar than the "old maid." Her place is in the home—there lies her highest, holiest, and, in fact, only duty. For teachers we must select women under thirty years of age. They are still normal, still cherishing matrimony as woman's work in life. Woman at this age is at the high-tide of her life; her disposition is then most sympathetic, and her ideals the clearest and strongest.—E. S., Popular Science Monthly, November, 1908, p. 423.

A Slump in French Socialism.—Half a dozen years ago the French political world was ruled by M. Jaures, the leader of the socialist party. But the country acknowledged it as a political party, not as the vanguard of socialism. Then, came the "unification" of the party; it cut itself adrift from the parties of Bourgeoisism, and immediately fell out of the political world back into its own little world. Its leaders ceased to be opportunists, and conformed to the new doctrinaire discipline. Since M. Clemenceau has been a cabinet minister, his deliberate and determined policy has been to widen the breach dug by "unified" socialism itself between socialism and the reality of politics. He has achieved his end, and the slump in French socialism is a reality.—Laurence Jerrold, Contemporary Review, October, 1908, p. 422.

Education and the Socialistic Movement.—What is likely to be the permanent attitude of the scientific mind toward the claims of thorough-going socialism? While acknowledging the evils of the present system and the need for improvement, a majority of persons believe that socialism is not practicable and not desirable. Its unfavorable possibilities bulk large in an intelligent view. The present industrial system holds large possibilities for the future. A continued gain in productive power is certain. The laborer will be enabled to raise himself by his own efforts surely and steadily toward the condition of which he dreams. He may become in large degree economically independent, and socially equal to the rich. A stronger democracy may be realized than any which a leveling of fortunes would bring.—John Bates Clark, Atlantic Monthly, October, 1908, p. 433.

Eugenics, the Science of Rearing Human Thoroughbreds.—The stock-breeder controls by artificial selection; society by social selection. Existing struggle is between groups of men. The folk-ways determine who shall live and breed. With the spread of Weismannism emphasis is laid on the importance of inborn characteristics. The question of interest is, who shall be born? The vital objection to eugenics is the belief that "nature has managed things better than we can." The incompetency of agents, inability to secure continuity, liability to disastrous errors are all to be feared. Galton's Fellow works along the line of (1) historical inquiry into the rates of contribution to population of the several classes of society; (2) facts under which thriving families originate;