Man in society: preface to sociology and the social sciences

This book aims to expedite the entrance into sociology and the social
sciences of the beginning student or the interested layman who is without
extensive preparation. It is hoped that the book will be an introductory
stimulus to more detailed work.
I have not sought to protect or shelter the reader from the controversies
seething in the social sciences. Rather have I sought to divulge early the
secrets of the trade, in the belief that intellectual curiosity is aroused
through seeing men in action, in this case social scientists, afire with their
allegiances, interpreting and explaining data according to their lights. If
the apprentice sees living beings as well as cold facts, he should come alive
himself, and in assuming some point of view find that he must conquer
the method and knowledge upon which that point of view rests, as well as
understand other points of view. I am not without my own point of view,
and I hope I have expressed it in no uncertain terms but without being
overly unjust to those who hold differing ones.
Man in Society as a “preface to sociology and the social sciences” is not
meant to be exhaustive, but challenging and provocative. No doubt more
problems have been raised herein than have been solved, and I am sure
there is a little something for everybody to disagree with. But one of my
chief aims has been to communicate some of the excitement of discovering
a problem and to arouse a feeling for the necessity of seeking a solution
on sound methodological bases.
Professors Charles H. Page and Ely Chinoy of Smith College have care-
fully read the manuscript of this book. Professor Page has given help far
beyond the call of official editorial duty, and Professor Chinoy has made
valuable suggestions in several places. I am grateful to them.