Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 9.djvu/262

 248 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

divides the metaphysical schools into two very distinct groups : the first, seeking the cause of social forms and movements in the outer environment ; the second, in the constitution and faculties of man; both accordingly deducing their respective social con- ceptions. Each of these two schools invokes, however, some more or less scientific observations, but science is yet only the auxiliary of these formulas.

Aristotle (384-322) rebelled against the idealistic subjec- tivism of Plato. He restored to the environment its influence upon societies :

People who inhabit cold climates, as Europe, are in general full of courage, but they are certainly inferior in intelligence and in industry. If they retain their liberty, it is at the price of anarchy, and they have never been able to conquer their neighbors. In Asia, on the contrary, people have more intelli- gence, and aptitude for the arts, but they lack heart, and they remain under the yoke of a perpetual slavery. The Greek race, which is topographically inter- mediate, unites all of the qualities of the other two. It possesses at once intelligence and courage. It is able at the same time to protect its indepen- dence and to form very good governments. If it were united in a single state, it would be capable of conquering the world. 1

It is necessary to note, outside of the almost absolute contra- diction given to this mesologic theory by history, the tendency to the abolition of political frontiers through the rudimentary force of conquest. Alexander will be the executor of the theories of his master.

It would be an exaggeration to appose in an absolute fashion the idealistic socialism of Plato, based upon human nature, to the realism of Aristotle, otherwise equally socialistic, as we are too apt to forget. Indeed, according to the illustrious peripati- cian, "it is evident that in the order of nature the city exists before each individual." 2 He conceives of society as a superior differentiated organism: "Society is a giant having hands, feet, and innumerable senses, and a mind and an intelligence in pro- portion." 3 By that Aristotle attaches himself to the contempo- rary biological sociology.

In the Laws Plato subordinates more his absolute ideal to

1 Politics, Book IV, chap, vi, p. i.

Book I, chap, i, p. 12. 3 Book IV.