Anal.

FACTORS IN AMERICAN

CIVILIZATION

STUDIES IN APPLIED SOCIOLOGY

POPULAR LECTURES AND DISCUSSIONS

BEFORE THE

BROOKLYN ETHICAL ASSOCIATION

NEW YORK

D. APPLETON AND COMPANY

7730

Soc 526.6.5

Ser 20

LIBRARY

Pright found

COPYRIGHT, 1893,

BY THE BROOKLYN ETHICAL ASSOCIATION.

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PREFACE.

THE consideration of the general topics of current political and economic importance in Man and the State led naturally to the discussion of those special circumstances and conditions-physical, sociological, and economic-which have entered as factors into the growth of our American civilization. In both these courses of lectures the aim and effort has been to apply to the study of the topics therein treated the sound scientific and evolutionary principles outlined and exemplified in the previous works issued by the Brooklyn Ethical Association-Evolution, Sociology, and Evolution in Science, Philosophy, and Art.

That every lecture in these volumes constitutes a wholly satisfactory and final application of evolutionary principles to the problems treated is by no means to be assumed. The social and economic philosophy implied in the doctrine of evolution is nowhere yet completely formulated. Mr. Spencer has given the world an admirable statement and argument of general principles in his epoch-making Synthetic Philosophy, but he has left to others the application of these principles to the detailed problems of social and economic science, as well as to those of physics and theology.

Many able writers in Europe and America are to-day contributing to the growth of these yet inchoate sciences. To this end these lectures may be regarded as an humble contribution. The concentration of the thought of many able minds upon a limited and definite field of research and investigation gives it, we believe, a cumulative value which seldom results from isolated study, and justifies the careful consideration of these lectures by students of political and economic science.

In the arrangement of topics, and the assignment thereof to their chosen exponents, as well as in the discussion following each lecture, the aim has been, as heretofore, to avoid all partisan bias, and to secure a fair representation of both sides of all disputed questions. The only condition expressly urged and emphasized has been that all disputants

should endeavor to sustain their views by appeal to sound scientific and evolutionary principles.

The present situation in America furnishes evidence, at least, of the imperative need of a closer and more scientific study of the social and economic principles underlying our national life. The American people have followed the empirical captains of opposing partisan hosts— blind leaders of the blind-to the verge of political and economic anarchy and disaster. To avert or cure such and even more serious impending disasters we have been taught to rely on the lip salve of a priori political theories and the rose water of a mechanical system of superficial intellectual culture. Is it not time to recognize the fact that both national and individual prosperity depend upon the recognition of and obedience to physical, biological, social, and ethical laws which are inherent in the nature of things, and the violation of which brings certain destruction to men and nations?

To diffuse sound principles, based on the dynamic laws of evolution rather than upon the static assumptions of metaphysical and a priori reasoning, should be the object of all wise and patriotic instruction, in pulpit, school, university, scientific or ethical society or political club. To teachers in such organizations, as well as to the thoughtful and patriotic American citizen, of whatever school or partisan predilection, we commend the perusal and consideration of these lectures.