Introduction to sociology

Introduction to sociology

3 1924 013 768 761

Cornell University Library

The original of tliis book is in tine Cornell University Library.

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Introduction To Sociology

INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY

BY

ARTHUR FAIRBANKS

SEVENTH EDITION HEVISED AND IN PART REWRITTEN

CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS

NEW YORK CHICAGO BOSTON

Preface To The First Edition

In the present state of the science of sociology it is rash to venture beyond the monograph on some special topic, to discuss the subject as a whole. The present volume is not intended as a systematic reconstruction of the principles of sociology, even in outline. Its aim is rather practical. Several classes of students to-day are directing more and more attention to the science of society, with the purpose of finding a more scientific basis for their work. The minister would infuse religion into the social relations of everyday life, and seeks to understand society, which he would make Christian. Touched with a deep sense of human woe, " ethical " reformers find that material aid and education, and even friendship, cannot meet the wants of the individual, but that they must learn to know society, and work through society, in order to help the man. The effort to administer charity wisely; the effort to make criminals into men, and to prevent men from becoming criminals ; the effort to develop a sounder municipal life in our cities, and a truer political sentiment in our nations — these are but some of the lines of work in which men to-day are driven to study the science of society, in order that they may not do harm where they would do good. Moreover, students of politics, of economics, of psychology and philosophy, of history, are turning more and more atten-

■VI PREFACE TO THE FIKST EDITION

tion to the sociological basis of their work. It has been my aim to furnish a brief introdnction to the subject, which would make plain to the reader something of its scope and importance, and, it may be, aid him in farther study. That the specialist in sociological investigation will find much here to advance the knowledge of the science, is not my expectation.

It has seemed to me unwise to burden the page with many foot-notes. To take the place of these, both in directing the reader to further material and in making general acknowledgment to scholars to whose works I have been indebted, I have added at the end of the book a bibliography, arranged in detail according to the chapters in the body of the work. I have received many suggestions in particular from Professor Giddings' papers ; and regret that his Principles of Sociology only came into my hands when the present work was already in type. Finally, I desire to express my obligation to three friends and former colleagues — Professors Colby, J. K. Lord, and Wells, of Dartmouth College — for their help and encouragement.

AETHUR FAIRBANKS.

Preface To The Third Edition

The present work was pablished originally with many misgiYings, not as to the need of a volume on this subject, bnt as to the success with which the writer had met the existing need. The reception of the book has been very gratifying, and proves unquestionably the great interest which is being aroused in the study of social problems. The book was not originally intended for use as a textbook ; but in preparing a third edition, the fact that it has found a place in many colleges and universities has been constantly in my mind. The second edition was printed with only the slight verbal corrections which seemed most necessary ; in the present edition many changes have been made in order to secure greater simplicity and clearness, and one additional chapter has been written to fill out the original plan. The reader will, perhaps, miss a discussion of the sociological theories developed by Professor Giddings and Professor Baldwin, not to mention the work of European writers. To discuss these theories would have been a most welcome task, but it has seemed to me more fitting to hold to the original plan of the book, viz. : to furnish the beginner with an outline of the subject on which he can base his own further studies. Such a plan precluded any extended discussion of the theories which have been put forward to explain social phenomena; I vm PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION

need hardly add, however, that the reader will find the titles of the more important recent sociological works in the revised bibliography at the end of the volume.

I wish to express my gratitnde to Professor I. A. Loos of this university for his suggestions both as to the text and the bibliography ; and I may fittingly take this opportunity to thank Mr. Totoki of the University of Tokyo, for the interest in this book which has led him to prepare and publish a translation of it in the Japanese language.

AKTHUK FAIKBANKS.

Thb State Universitt op Iowa, Iowa Citt, January 21, 1900.

Contents

INTRODUCTION I

FAOB

The Subject-matteb of Sociologt, I

II The Relation of Sociology to Other Social Sciekces, . 11

The Study of Social Phenomena — The Sociological Basis of Economic Theories — The Study of Language— Sociological Theories Underlie Linguistic Theories — Relation of Sociology to the Social Sciences — The Sphere of Sociology as a Science.

Ill

Cak Sociology be Regarded as a Science ? . . . .18 Sociology has not been Studied by Scientific Methods — Character of Social Phenomena — (1.) The Field of Sociology as a Science — (2.) The Method of Sociology as a Science— Special Methods of Particular Sciences — Analysis, Classification, Induction — (3.) The Nature of Social Phenomena — Human Society and Natural Law — Natural Law as " Jus Naturale " — Natural Law as Physical Law — Natural Law as Mechanical Law — Natural Law and a Mechanics of Self-interest — The so-called Moral Order of Society — The Scientific Study of Social Phenomena — Society as Part of the One World-process — Social Phenomena Distinctly Psychical in Character — The Science of Society and the Freedom of the Will, iz

X CONTENTS

I ' FAGB

The DmsioNS of Socioloot, .34

Social Statics and Social Dynamics — Three Main Dirisions : I. The Nature of a Society, II. Functions and "Organs" of Society ; III. Social Development.

CHAPTER I SOCIETT BbOABDED AS A CoNTSACT, 39

The Analogy between a Society and a Contract — The Social Contract Theory Is a Common-sense Theory — Political Influence of the Social Contract Theory — The Form of the Theory to be considered — The Nature of a Business Contract — The Contract Principle in Other Relations — Marriage as a Contract — The State as a Contract — The Authority of a Contract-state — The Principle of Contract Imperfect.

The Analogy between a Society and a Contract — Truths : I. Society is an Organization Controlling its Members. 2. This Control is definitely Limited. 3. The Relation of Individual and Group.

Errors : The Contract Theory suggests some False Ideas of Society. 1. This Theory neglects Other Social Bonds. 2. It Emphasizes the Individual Unduly. It Treats the Individual as something Separate from Society.

CHAPTER II Society Reqasded as an Organism, 61

The Analogy of a Biological Organism — Meaning of " Organic " as Applied to Society.

I. The " Organic" Nature of the Social Unit. 1. Complexity

and Unity of Society. 2. The Unity of a Society is Dynamic rather than Static. 3. The Unity of a Society is Determined from Within — Its Growth is Determined from Within.

II. Social Environment and Social Evolution. 1. Society and its Environment : Its Physical Environment ; Its Social Environment. 2. Each Organism has its place in Organic Evolution ; Each Society has its place in Social Evolution.

Danger of the Biological Analogy — Its Value. (Note on the Differences between a Society and a Biological Organism. )

CONTENTS XI

Chapter III Page

The Phtsioai Basis of Society : Locality and Eace, . . 69

The Physical Basis of Life— The Physical Basis of Society- Physical Factors : Locality and Race.

I. Effect of Locality. 1. Effect of the Contour of the Earth's

Surface : Contour determines (a) the Size of the Social Group, (4) the Isolation of Social Groups, and (c) the Lines of Social Movement. 2. Influence of Climate : Light, Temperature, Moisture. 3. Society is Modified by What it Uses : (a) Inorganic Materials, (i) Fauna, (c) Vegetation.

II. Effect of Race. The Principle of Heredity— Eeal and fictitious Blood-relationship — What is a Race ? {a) A Group of Men living Together; (J) A Group of Common Stock; (c) A large Group in which Resemblance of the Members is referred to Heredity.

Race Expansion : Theory of Population — Present Increase of Population in Europe— Increase of Population in Uncivilized Societies — Race Persistence.

CHAPTER IV Association : The Relation or Men in Society, . . .87

The Social Group not merely Physical. 1. Bonds of Feeling: Man not a Social Animal by Nature; Influences for and against Sociability ; Sentiment as a Social Bond. 2. Bonds of Common Function ; The Unity of a Biological Organ is a Unity of Function ; The Unity of the Social Group a Unity of Function — Social Evolution involves Differentiation of Activities and of Groups — In this process the Bonds uniting Men become more Definite, Various, Permanent — Solidarity of the Family Increased in the new forms of Social Activity — Increase in extent of Expansive Social Groups.

1. Attractive Forces, based in Feeling. 2. Functional Bonds, due to Common Activity, a part of the Psychical character of the Individual.

Meaning of "Association." Conditions favoring Association. Influence on Association of Locality, of Race. Social and Psychical Factors favoring Association (Vocation, Rank, etc.).

Xii CONTENTS

Chapter V Paob

The Social Mnro, 103

The Solidarity of a Society or Social Group — The Psychical Life of the Social Group. 1. Language and Thought common to the Members of a Social Group ; Beliefs, Practical Knowledge, Methods of Investigation and of Proof, common to the Social Group. 2. Habits and Virtues peculiar to each Social Group; Judgment of action by Conscience a. Social Fact; Ends of Action and Ideals common to the Group. 3. Types of Peeling mark the Social Group. 4. Self -consciousness of the Social Group, of the Volitional Group.

The Unity of the Social Mind and of the Individual Mind — " Social Mind " a Concrete Phrase — Relation of the Social Mind and Individual Minds — The Social Mind Exists in and through the Individual Minds Composing It — The Social Mind the Product of Association.

(Note on the Science of Society and the Sciences of Man — Sociology and History, especially the History of Civilization — Sociology and the Genesis of Psychical Processes — Attention, Comparison, Generalization, etc., from the Stand-point of Sociology — Sociology and Logic and Ethics.)

CHAPTER VI Causes of Sociai, AcMvrrT, 119

Social Groups depend on Social Activities — Social Force 'versus Stimuli to Social Activity — Needs of the Individual stimulate Social Activities — Classification of Social Stimuli.

I. Essential Stimuli. 1. Need of Food as a Stimulus to Social Activity — Need of Protection against Cold and Wet — Fire as a Socializer — Need of Food and Clothing as an Economic Stimuli — Fundamental Character of these Needs — Their wide Range. 2. Need of Protection against Fellow-men as a Social Stimulus — This Need varies with the Position of the Individual or Tribe — The early State, as meeting this Need — Need of Protection in Developed Civilization — Increasing Need of Protection within the State. 3. Emotions as Causes of Social Activity : (a) Self-regarding Emotions in FrimitiTe

CONTENTS Xlll

FAOE

Society, in Developed Society; (i) General Sympathetic Emotions; (c) Sympathetic Emotions directed toward particular Individuals— Broad reach of Emotions as the basis of Family Life.

II. Non-essential or Derived Social Stimuli. 1. The Love of the Beautiful lejids to Social Activity. 2. Intellectnal Needs lead to Social Activity ; so do Moral and Religious needs- Conclusion.

CHAPTER VII The Modes oe Social Activity, 13B

Variety of Social Phenomena— Genetic Principle of Classification — Its Meaning, its Value, and its Application.

I. Economic Mode of Social Activity. Rise of Economic Activ-

ity — The three phases : (a) Circulation, (i) Consumption, (c) Production — Rise of Groups and Institutions in Economic Activity — Relation of Economic Activity to Other Eorms of Social Life.

II. " Social " Activity of Society. Character of " Social " Groups — Custom the Fundamental Type of all Social Authority — Relation of "Social" Activity to other Forms of Social Life.

III. Political Activity of Society. Political Life and other forms of Social Activity.

TV. Psychical Activity of Society. 1. .Slsthetic Stimuli. 2. Intellectual Activity and Institutions. 3. Moral Activity and Institutions. 4. Religious Activity and Institutions — Relation of Psychical Activity to other forms of Social Activity — Conclusion.

Chapter VIII

The Industrial Organization op Societt, .... 150 Production the most important of the three Factors in determining Industrial Organization — Early Industrial Life — The Stone Age ; the Bronze and Iron Ages — Social Importance of the Development of Tools — Early DifEerentiation of Industrial Functions — Source of Food as marking Stages in Development — The Hunting Stage, the Nomad Stage, and the Agricultural Stage — Influence of each on Social Life — Increase in the Differentiation of Labor.

I. Exchange and the gradual Development of the Ma/rket. 1. Institution of Money. 2. Institutions of Transportation — War, and the Development of Circulation — Effect of Circulation on other Modes of Social Activity.

XIV COKTENTS

PAGE

II. Gonsumption. The " Economic Man " — Man's Needs change in Content, in Imperativeness, and in Variety — Physical Needs determine Economic Life — The Institution of Property — Social Importance of Property.

III. Production. Relation to Circulation, to Consumption — The Institutions of Production — Slavery, Feudalism, the Household Unit, the Factory System — Influence of Industrial Organization on other Modes of Social Life.

The Ideal of the Economic Group — Influence of this Ideal on Social Life — Fundamental Character of the Economic Mode of Social Activity.

Chapter IX

The Family and the State — Earlier Theory that the State arose from the Family. The Family in the Matriarchal Stage — Results accepted by recent writers : (a) The Principles of Marriage Unions ; (5) Polyandry, Polygyny, and Monogamy ; (c) Blood-afliliation and Property Rights in the Formation of the Family.

I. The Early Family in the Economic Activity of Society ; Later

Forms of the Family in the Economic World ; The Economic Future of the Family.

II. The Family and the " Social " Activity of Society.

III. The Family and the Psychical Activity of Society : (a) Intellectual, (i) .Sjsthetic, (c) Moral — Moral Life of Parents, Moral Personality of Child, developed in the Family — Moral Inheritance includes Customs and Social Usages — Moral Training in the Family and in General Society — Moral Inheritance the Basis of Real Progress; {d) The Religious Unity of the Family ; Continuity and Progress of Religion depend on the Family.

IV. The Function of the Family in Political Life.

CHAPTER X The State as an Organ of Social Activitt, . , . 186

Methods used in the Science of Politics.

1. Forms of the State. 1. The Beginnings of Political Life. 2. The Tribal State. 3. The City-state of the Greeks and Romans. 4. The Feudal State. 6. The Limited Monarchy and Democracy.

CONTENTS XV

Fxam

II. Relation of Loav to the State. Early Law based on Cugtom and Religion — Law as Extended by the Courts in Later Times — Law-making by Legislatures — Sovereignty and the Conception of the State.

III. The Functions of the Modern State. Three Forms of State Activity : 1. Diplomatic and Military Activity. 2. The State Punishes Crime, and Defends the Citizen in his Rights — Prevention of Crime. 3. The State in Relation to other Modes of Social Activity : {a) The State and Economic Activity — Direct Interference with Industry by the State, (i) The State and the Family, (c) The State and Higher Social Activities — Education — The State and Moral Life — The State and the Church. Conclusion.

CHAPTER XI ThB Iin>IVII>0AL FROM THE SxAND-POINT OF SoOIOLOGT, . . 203

Welfare of the Individual vs. the Welfare of the Social Group — This Conflict in the Different Spheres of Social Life — The Teaching of History as to this Antithesis— The Group as a Social Unit — The Place of the Individual in Society — The Antithesis between the Individual and the Group is False — Psychical Power involves Dependence on Society — Institutions as a Source of Power — Education proceeds on this Principle — Egoism and Altruism.

The Person is the Concrete Expression of the Group-life — The Element of Individuality in Persons— Individuality of Persons and Complexity of Society — Individuality of Environment — The Individual Personality — The Individual and Social Progress.

PAET III SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Chapter XII

ExTERNjii. Description op Social Development, . . . 217

Introduction to the Third Part ; Social Development.

I. The Continuity of Social Life. Continuity from the Physical

Stand-point — Continuity of Social Life and Social Groups;

of Institutions — The Generation of Psychical Life — Con-

tinvuty and Change Social Development from the Stand-point

of a Supposed Goal.

Xn CONTENTS

PAGB

II. Increasing Unity and Complexity of Sociai Life. Mr Spencer's Law of Progress — Physical Side of Social Development — General Character of the Early Social Group — Fundamental Forms of Social Activity become Distinct — The Simple Economic Group — Beginning of Separate Economic Functions and Classes — Results of the more Complex Economic Activity — Continuation of this Process at the Present Time — Political Activity becomes Broader and More Complex — Increasing Complexity and Unity in other line*. '

Chapter XIII

Fkocesses op Sociai. Development, 282

Two Theories of Social Development — The two Froceases exist side by side.

I. Process of Dispersion a/nd Differentiation. 1. Bace-increase —

Centres of Dispersion — Differentiation of Physical Types. 2. Differentiation and Dispersion of Forms of Psychical Life, (o) Language : Dispersion, Differentiation. (6) Religion : Dispersion, Differentiation.

II. Process of Agglomeration. Civilization lessens Number of Social Groups — Mr. Spencer's Classification of Different Types of Social Aggregates — Statement of the Process of Agglomeration. 1. This Process Regarded from its Physical Side — Persistence of Race-characteristics — Unification of Culture. 2. This Process Regarded from the Psychical Side — Language and Religion as Examples of this Process — Fusion of Religious Forms — Heterogeneity the Condition of Progress — Process of Agglomeration and Assimilation — Conclusion.

CHAPTER XIV The Real Nature of Progress

1. The Biological Theory of Natural Selection. (1) Multiplication. (2) Heredity and Variability. (3) Conflict — Result: The Survival of the Fittest.

IL Modifications of the Struggle for Existence in the Case of Man. 1. The Unity of the Social Group as a Modifying Factor. 2. Lines limiting Struggle are no longer Territorial, but by Classes 3. Importance of Reason as a Modifying Factor — Resulting Changgs.

III. Natural Selection in Human Society. A. The Biological Conditions of Struggle and Selection are Present in Human Society— Multiplication, Heredity, and Variability Follow

CONTENTS XVll

FAOB

Biological Law. Multiplication, joined with Social Ambition, must produce Struggle — Conditions of Struggle in the Different Modes of Social Activity — Further discussion of Heredity and Variation as basis of Selection — Psychical Heredity — Multiplication of Social Groups Leads to a Struggle of Groups, in addition to Struggle of Individuals within each group — Multiplication of Ideas and Psychical Struggle — BSsum^ : Conditions Present in Society that inevitably lead to Struggle and Selection.

CHAPTER XV Natubal Sblbotion in Human Soclett (Continued), . . 269

B. Struggle for Existence in Human Society. 1. Economic

Activity as a Struggle for Existence — Progress not from Struggle, but to Higher Forms of Struggle. 2. " Social " Activity as a Struggle for Existence. 3. Political Activity as a Struggle — Importance of the Struggle between lesser Political Units. 4. Psychical Life Involves Struggles, as to New Ideas and Inventions, New .Esthetic and Ethical and Beligious Ideals.

Changes in the Form of Struggle as Society Develops. 1. Physical Struggle is Gradually Eaised to the Psychical Plane.

2. The Aim comes to be not Destruction, but Supremacy.

3. Irrational and Rational Forms of Struggle — Change in the Competing Units as the Struggle becomes Psychical.

C. Survival of the Fittest as the Outcome of Struggle. 1. Sur-

vival of the Fittest Individuals, (a) Biologically the Less Fit Perish, the Fittest Survive and Increase most Rapidly and Rise in Social Position, (b) Economic Survival ; Social Apparatus for Determining it. (c) Political Survival ; Social Apparatus for Determining it. {d) Psychical Survival ; Social Apparatus for Determining it. 2. Survival of the Fittest Orowps — Fitness of Groups Determined by their Organization — Type of Family, Industrial Organization, Political Principles, Standard of Right, of Truth, of Beauty : as Elements of the Organization that Determines the Fitness of the Group — Authority of each is made Clear by the Survival of the Group which it Helps to Make Fit. 3. The Survival of the Fittest Institutions — Process of Survival of Social Institutions — Authority and Stability of Institutions, together with Principle of Development — Progress by the Survival of the Fittest.

INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY

THE SUBJECT-MATTER OF SOCIOLOGY

What is a Society ?— The Object to be Studied— Definition— A Society and Social Groups — Society and Social Classes — Importance of the Study of the Social Group — Neglect of the Social Factor in Study of the Individual — Individualistic Study of Society — Study of Society and Study of Man run Parallel — Individuals and Society are not Separate Things — Natural Sciences and the Study of Society.

Sociology is the name applied to a somewhat inchoate mass of materials which embodies our knowledge about society. Careful students and sentimental reformers alike profess devotion to the new science. Economics is to be a branch of sociology ; theology is to be driven from the pulpit by the new religion of social reform ; law and morals may be put on a true foundation, the state at last may learn its true function, and the family its true meaning, because this new science has been discovered toward the close of the nineteenth century. Its forms are as yet varied, and perhaps would suggest a series of pseudosciences instead of one genuine science. Spencer uses the term sociology to mean the study of social institutions in their origin and development ; Letourneau applies it to the study of social beginnings, and it has been extended to cover a good deal of ethnology and anthropology ; Comte, who has the honor of inventing the word sociologie, meant by it the goal and summation of all science as applied to the regulation of human society ; in America the name has been applied indifferently to any study of social conditions which aims to regenerate society. Such are some of the claims put forward by the devotees of this new science, and some of the various types which it has assumed. In view of all this confusion and perplexity, it must be the first work of the student to define the scope of this science, if such it be, and to determine its relation to other sciences already recognized as such. Accordingly, I propose first to define the object to be studied, viz., society or the social group, and to indicate the importance of such study ; secondly, to discuss the relation of the general science of society to the special sciences dealing with particular classes of social phenomena ; and, thirdly, to inquire whether the study of society as thus defined deserves the name of a science.^

What is a Society ? — Sociology claims to be the science of society, and the question immediately arises : What is society, or a society, this object which is to be studied ? To-day many writers talk freely of society, and mean by it, on one page, Mimanity ; on the next, a family, or a race; on the next, social intercourse. Those writers who regard society as an organism are perhaps the most careless in this matter, and confuse the reader by including in said organism at one time the world as a whole, and again, without notice of change, some small group of men who have united for a definite purpose.

The question is not simply as to the meaning of a word, important as this may be ; so long as the object to be studied by a science remains vague, that science cannot be expected to attain clearness and accuracy. Let us make it our first task to ascertain exactly the object that the sociologist proposes to study, and only then shall we be in a position to ask whether the method of sociology can be made scientific, and, on the other hand, whether sociology

' These prolegomena to the science of society should perhaps serre as an appendix rather than as an introduction. Certainly Fart III. may better be read after the remainder of the volume.

THE SUBJECT-MATTEE OF SOCIOLOGY 3

has a definite place along witli other sciences which propose to study society.

Definition of a Society. — A society may be defined as a group of men who are bound together in relations more or less permanent.^ For scientific purposes men are grouped in classes which include those who are alike, and exclude others ; such a group is not a society, for it exists only in the mind of the thinker. On the other hand the company in a railway car includes most diverse characters, but even so casual a relation may bind them into a sort of society. Persons in the same audience are a society when their minds are united even temporarily by a common interest in the speaker. The family perpetuating the same life for generations, is a society. A society is a group of persons sharing a common life for a longer or shorter time ; but inasmuch as there is an important distinction between the smaller societies developed to perform a definite function, and the larger society in which these exist, I shall frequently call the former "social organs "or "social groups." These intervene between the individual and the larger society to which he belongs : they constitute the framework or structure of that society ; in the language of biology they may be called its organs.

Whatever distinctions may be drawn between the social group and the larger society in which the group exists, in principle the character of the two is the same. The limiting lines may be very definite, or they may be somewhat vague, but in each case the central fact is a common life in which members of the group or society share.

A Society and Social Groups — The word "society" then may be applied to the larger body in which the social groups exist. A society differs from these smaller groups in that it is not called into existence to perform any definite function, for apparently it exists to be served rather than to serve. It does not always coincide with a city or

' Cf. Gumplowicz, Orwndriss der Sociologies p. 139 $qq. Eng. trans., p. 136 sq.

other local group, or with a nation, the political group ; the word covers more nearly the same ground as the term people. In general a society coincides with a type of culture. " Society " meant for the Jew, the Hebrew race ; for the Greek, those whom Greek culture had brought under its sway or had made to contribute immediately to its progress; for the Eoman, the Roman world — those who acknowledged the dominion of Rome. To-day " society," in the broad use of the term, means for us those who have yielded to the influence of Christian civilization ; and we seem to foresee the day when all the larger and more important ethnic groups may be regarded as parts of one society, because they share the same culture and the same civilization.

Society and Social Classes — The object which sociology proposes to study is society as a whole, together with the smaller societies or social groups which are developed to perform special functions in the life of the larger whole. But while it is only the group as a society which properly comes within the sphere of sociology, it is evident that various types of social classes must be examined in order to understand the groups which may be called societies. Life in the same locality and identity of race are the basis of classes which all but inevitably become social groups sharing a common psychical life, so that these classes cannot be neglected by sociology. In similar manner the classes which are developed in an advanced state of society, classes according to rank, according to occupation, according to economic and moral condition, etc., must be considered by sociology because of their influence on the groups which may be distinctly recognized as societies. After this has been granted, the student should never forget that the real object of sociological study is not classes of men that are alike, but groups of men who have come to share a common life.

So important a subject as this has, of course, received some attention before the rise of a branch of science entirely devoted to the consideration of it. Even when the

THE SUBJECT-MATTER OF SOCIOLOGY 5

historian has commanded the reader's imagination by selecting great men for his theme, the true student has recognized that it is the ideals of the nation which find expression in their lives. The study of leaders in thought and action deserves the name of history, not because these leaders are the only men worth studying, but because the study of their lives may let us see inside the real life of the nation. The real subject of history is the life of a people, the development of the groups which go to make up this life, and the way in which these groups act together to form the larger whole.