Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 9.djvu/159

 THE AMERICAN

JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

VOLUME IX SEPTEMBER, 1903 NUMBERS

ON THE ORIGIN AND USE OF THE WORD "SOCIOLOGY,"

AND ON THE RELATION OF SOCIOLOGICAL TO OTHER STUDIES AND TO PRACTICAL PROBLEMS. 1

ONLY after a severe and protracted struggle has the word "sociology" established itself in international usage. It was introduced by Auguste Comte in the series of lecture courses which resulted in the publication of the Positive Philosophy the final instalment of this appearing in 1842. Comte's intention in introducing the word has been widely misunderstood. It has too often been confused with the suggestions of practical change in polity and in religion which Comte in the later part of his life advocated. It seems advisable, therefore, to recall the historical circumstances out of which the word "sociology" arose.

Comte considered himself to be in succession with a line of thinkers historically beginning with Thales and Pythagoras, con- tinuing with Bacon and Descartes, and (for Comte) culminating in Hume. With the work of Kant, Comte was very imperfectly acquainted, being in all probability familiar only with the Idea of a Universal History. Of Hegel's work, too, he had only a gen- eral and probably vague knowledge, apparently regarding him, at one time, as an elder contemporary engaged also in the task of constructing a sort of positive philosophy. For Comte, then,

'This paper was recently printed for private circulation in England. It is one of the signs that English scholars are beginning to consider the claims of sociology. The author has kindly consented to allow this republication. EDITORS.

MS