Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 6.djvu/495

 THE SCOPE OF SOCIAL TECHNOLOGY 481

reformers. A particular problem is always a part of a larger view, and its solution must be found by bringing it into the light of organized bodies of knowledge. Some of the important steps in the process of dealing with a particular problem may here be indicated.

There must be a clear statement of the problem as a com- munity interest, and it must be a genuine social problem if it belongs fairly to the sociologist. We have many studies of vast interest to society which are properly economical, administrative, or educational. A problem in social technology has at least these marks ; all the elements of welfare are involved ; all the members of the community are affected; and the data to be used are normally derived from more special sciences. If the answer can be supplied by an expert in any particular field of science or experience, the problem may be left there. State troops are not called out if the constable or sheriff is able to meet the occasion.

The end of proposed social action must be defined with all clearness ; the kind of good to be furthered or multiplied ; the satisfactions to be attained.

The third step is a clear and complete arrangement of all the causal relations and conditions in the situation. At this point the dependence of technology on theoretical science becomes apparent. In a social problem, in the sense defined, the full explanation can never be given by any one special science, and the explanation must be through a process of socio- logical thinking.

The fourth step is the study or presentation of methods actually in use to attain the proposed end, of their failures and success, and of the regulative principles involved in the most favorable cases.

The fifth step is a mental construction of the most rational plan for the next step. This is based on all the preceding stages of experience and is suggested by them. This new proposition corresponds to the hypothesis in theory.

The sixth step is trial, and the Anglo-Saxon conservative plan of gradual approach is found to be thoroughly scientific.