Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 15.djvu/53

Rh is capable of sifting all the evidence necessary to form a reasoned opinion upon every matter upon which his decision is required. Nearly every one reasons out his opinions upon a few questions; the large majority of opinions are taken on authority, that is, are accepted because they are the opinions of someone who has sifted the evidence and who we believe is capable of reaching a correct conclusion. The act of selecting such a guide for our opinions is of course itself an act of reason, the belief that he is capable of forming a correct opinion is itself an opinion. But this is ordinarily a far simpler process than sifting the evidence on the prime question for ourselves. We can much more easily conclude that Professor Delitzsch is able to reach a correct opinion upon the age of the ruins of Nineveh, or the character of that ancient civilization, than reason out the problems for ourselves. When a person is generally recognized as capable of forming a reasoned and probably correct opinion upon any matter he is said to be an authority upon that matter; and when all authorities agree upon the same opinion that opinion may be accepted with the utmost certainty. So far from reason being in any way opposed to authority it is the goal toward which it strives. Reason ever seeks to remove doubt and to establish its opinions as authoritative. There should, therefore, be no disparagement thrown upon opinions accepted upon authority. It is often far safer to trust to a good authority than to launch upon the unknown seas of reason. No such justification can be found for opinions formed from interest or from fear of persecution; these involve, in every case, self-stultification.

By sentiment is meant the feeling of admiration or of abhorrence, of approval or of disapproval or resentment which one individual feels toward another or with reference to some act. It is emotional rather than intellectual, and, while often influenced by previously formed opinions, it is itself not an opinion properly speaking. The sentiment of outrage which we feel toward the Standard Oil Company may rest upon the opinion that this