Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 15.djvu/672

 658 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

already existent a science of sociology. When one had a sort of suspicion that possibly there was no such science, there was a temptation to try all the harder to prove its existence ; but as that secret suspicion faded away before the facts in the case, these were allowed to speak for themselves. Hence in recent years we have rather sought to present arguments showing that there is, or at any rate must be, such a science.

In asserting that there must be a science of sociology we have sought to show ( I ) the several senses in which the word science may be used; (2) the need of a general science to co-ordinate and to synthesize the teachings of those special sciences devoted to the study of social institutions and their activities; (3) the need of a science able to give a social interpretation to the teachings of biology and psychology; and (4) the necessity for a science that can absorb and assimilate into a logical unity all knowledge bearing with any directness on the past, present, and future of human society. Only by developing such a science, it is argued, can society hope to look with any confidence toward the future, and by a clear understanding of conditions and principles, thereby work consciously toward a higher standard of civilization.

In asserting, however, the necessity for the existence of soci- ology we have become careful not to dogmatize overmuch. If a student prefers to believe in the non-existence of the science, we are very willing to supply him with references in support of his view. If another calls attention to errors and defects in the sociological scheme, we would not hesitate to call his attention to others also that he had failed to see. If a third showed that former sociological teachings had become obsolete, we would further admit that much of what is now sociology may also become obsolete in a few years. In fact we long ago became convinced that pure and unadulterated truth unmixed with error is not the predominating characteristic of sociological teachings. Yet, after all these admissions have been made, we should still assert our right to continue the teaching of sociology, believing that, while theories may come and theories may go, yet the idea of a unifying science of human association will remain as a permanent achievement of the human mind. Even if at this