SOCIOLOGY CONSIDERED AS MORAL PHILOSOPHY.

This article considers sociology as a moral philosophy. In various accounts of the origins and history of sociology, the most significant fact is almost always omitted, namely, the relation of sociology to moral philosophy. It must be pointed out that in the 19th century the new study, sociology, took over from the old moral philosophy almost the whole range of the interests and methods of the older discipline. To this day general treatises on sociology can be analyzed along the lines of the 18th century formulation of moral philosophy. Professor Albion Woodbury Small said of sociology that it was a moral philosophy conscious its task; but his remark has escaped the attention it deserves, and sociology has escaped a particular line of criticism that it merits. For what is unfortunate in regard to the relationship is just the unconsciousness with which sociologists have continued to work with an old set of ideas and old methodological tools. From Auguste Comte, who was well versed in the moral philosophy of the 18th century, through Barth, Simmel, Hobhouse and the Americans, the major concepts and methods of the older study have continued to be disseminated. The works of American sociologists are herewith presented in the context of their similarities with 18th century moralist.