Knowledge that Transforms

ANTHROPOLOGY is destined to revolutionize the political and social sciences as radically as bacteriology has revolutionized the science of medicine. Although the phenomena of social organization and development proceed in accordance with definite laws, these laws have for the most part eluded the grasp alike of theorists and of investigators, so that today, the very conception of a science of sociology and of a corresponding art of social control, excites skepticism and even ridicule. Much insight has, it is true, been gained in relation to economic phenomena; but the science of economics confines its scope to one phase-and that only a secondary phase-of social development, and the correlative art of increasing material well-being probably but hastens the decadence of the nation and the deterioration of the racial stock. The application of anthropology to the solution of the problems of social development promises more significant results. It furnishes a scientific explanation of the historical development of civilizations, by showing them to depend upon the processes of biological evolution; it certainly suggests sombre prospects for the future, but not beyond human control and bettering. The importance of the ethnic factor in society-which anthropo-sociology seeks to ascertain and demonstrateis not altogether a new conception. On the contrary, it has been too often exploited in a vague and arbitrary fashion, and has been sometimes twisted to conform with theories rather literary than scientific. There are indeed those who regard the conception as having already outlived its usefulness. Thus one of my critics, better versed doubtless in metaphyics and literature than in modern science, asserts that these ethnic theories have been