Christian missions and social progress; a sociological study of foreign missions . is the index-finger which in all human history haspointed the way towards a happier and more perfect social Itteaches with emphasis and moral power that fundamental condition ofall social welfare, the voluntary subordination of the interests of theindividual to the good of the whole. It is just this that makes religiona vital element in sociology, and a true and rounded sociology an im-portant aspect of religion. It may perhaps be objected that strict science cannot include this religious and altruistic
Christian missions and social progress; a sociological study of foreign missions . is the index-finger which in all human history haspointed the way towards a happier and more perfect social Itteaches with emphasis and moral power that fundamental condition ofall social welfare, the voluntary subordination of the interests of theindividual to the good of the whole. It is just this that makes religiona vital element in sociology, and a true and rounded sociology an im-portant aspect of religion. It may perhaps be objected that strict science cannot include this religious and altruistic scope of sociology, since science draws the line at positive and knowable data. It has to do with Sociology not merely facts and phenomena which can be discovered and an academic dis- . ....... cipiine. observed. Sociology has therefore in this delimi- tation of its scope been lifted out of the realm ofexact science and expanded into an ideal of practical achievement. Ithas become an art, and has therefore lost its proper scientific status. l Bascom, Social Theory, pp. h oU Pi HJ3 o a _. — THE SOCIOLOGICAL SCOPE OF CHRISTIAN MISSIONS 35 If this is technically true, does it follow that the result is so demoraliz-ing to the standing and dignity of sociology that it cannot be accepted?Is it not possible to regard sociology as more than an exact science,with its phenomena, its forces, and its laws? May it not be countedalso a philosophy, with its theoretical principles and ideals? Nay; canit not assume also the aspect and scope of a practical art, with its es-tablished rules, its executive methods, and its tangible products? If itaims at the production of a coherent system of scientific knowledgeconcerning social phenomena, and the exposition of the principleswhich exercise a determining influence in social progress, must it bebound hand and foot just here and be ruled out of the sphere of ser-vice and ministry which opens in the realm of application? Sociology,wrapped
Size: 1210px × 2066px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectmissions, bookyear189
