Sociology and Social Progress : A Handbook for Students of Sociology (2 Vols-Set)

Contents: Preface. 1. Introduction. I. The nature, scope, and method of sociology: 2. Characteristics of the positive method in its application to social phenomena. 3. Relation of sociology to the other departments of positive philosophy. 4. The general distinction between sociology and the specific social sciences. II. Sociology as a study of social progress--the direction of social progress: 5. Social dynamics; or theory of the natural progress of human society. 6. A definition of progress. 7. The evolution of society. 8. The transition from a pain economy to a pleasure economy. 9. War and economics in history and in theory. III. The factors of social progress: A. The physical and biological factors: 10. Influence exercised by physical laws over the organization of society and the character of individuals. 11. The zone of the founders of religion. 12. Sexual selection in relation to man. 13. National life from the standpoint of science. 14. The prolongation of infancy. B. The psychical factors: 15. Comparison of moral and intellectual laws and inquiry as to the influence of each on the progress of society. 16. Sympathy. 17. Foresight. 18. The function of religious beliefs in the evolution of society. 19. The relativity of genius. 20. The virtues of stupidity. 21. Imitation. C. The social and economic factors: 22. Inquiry into the influence exercised by religion, literature and government. 23. The sociological view of morals. 24. The struggle for the life of other. 25. Influences that affect the natural ability of nations. 26. Natural selection and social selection. 27. The evolutionary function and usefulness of crime and punishment. 28. Male sexual selection. 29. Ethnic stratification and urban selection. 30. Degeneration. D. The political and legal factors: 31. Talk. 32. The age of discussion. 33. The forms of government. 34. The prince. 35. The boss. 36. Of the limits to the authority of society over the individual. Index.

"The volume not only served as an introductory text to the discipline, but contained many innovative papers, which re-defined social research for years to come. Carver brought together the best possible overview of the contributions on sociology at his time. It gives a comprehensive overview of our field but it is also daringly innovative - reminiscent to some of the by now classical chapters, in terms of giving voice to new areas of investigations." (jacket)