The Elements of Social Science (Classic Reprint) - Tapa dura

Sinopsis

Excerpt from The Elements of Social Science

Social science has hitherto suffered greatly from the attempt to make it conform to methods derived from the older and more abstract sciences. It has led us, for one thing, to look for impossible results, and to be disappointed at not getting them. We inquire, for example, after the manner of physical sciences, which of two related social phenomena is cause and which effect. It usually turns out, in the social sphere, that both are cause and both are effect. Does the kind of education account for the standard of intelligence in a community? True, but does not the standard of intelligence account for the standard of education? Was Slavery in the ancient world due in part to the lack of technical development Doubtless, but was not the lack of technical development due in part to the institution of slavery? Was the severity of the criminal code a hundred years ago due to the amount of crime? May it not be replied that the amount of crime was also due to the severity of the criminal code? Are low wages a cause of poverty Yes, but is not poverty a cause of low wages? Intemperance is a source of destitution, but destitution is also a source of intemperance. Such examples could be multiplied indefinitely. One can reverse, with some degree of truth, almost any statement of social causation. Social causation is nearly always reciprocal. Unless we realize this fact we will be asking wrong questions and finding wrong answers - though questions of a type that might be legitimately asked in other scientific Spheres where another kind of causation prevails.

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