Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 4.djvu/685

 PROLEGOMENA TO SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 665

ried on and ethical progress be possible without these beliefs, that is, whether they are essential economies of the social psy- chic process or not, is a question which social psychology alone can answer, yet a question of the greatest importance to moral as well as social philosophy.

In this article, intended merely as a plea for the study of social psychology, it is not the place to discuss either the diffi- culties of the construction of such a science or the methods it should employ. Of these we shall speak later. What we trust we have made clear is the need of such a science in any rational attempt to solve the problems of the social sciences. It is cer- tainly essential to the interpretation of the societary process as a whole. It is needed in economics, political science, and ethics to correct and supplement prevailing theories and to formulate new ones. Finally, it is needed for the criticism of false and for the construction of wise programs for social betterment.

Charles A. Ellwood. The University of Chicago.