Scientism and Values.pdf - Ludwig von Mises Institute

102 Scientism and Values
the latter body, vote for affiliation. Thus. would the Jewish,
Unitarian, and Baptist (as well as atheist) sociologists come apparently
to support the propagation of the Catholic faith. It is not
suggested that this effort will ever be made, and certainly not that
this particular effort would ever be successful if made.
But similar efforts have been made and have been successful.
The Society for the Study of Social Problems "is .an affiliate of the
American Sociological Association. Its recurrent value statements
may be derived from analysis of the various issues of Social Problems)
the publication of this special-interest group. In the words
of the respected Ernest W. Burgess:
It is fitting at this time to restate the objectives of our Society and to
define the role that is envisioned for this new Journal.
First, the organization of the Society is a recognition of the growing
importance of research on social problems. There is. the continuing
challenge presented by the crucial situations. confronting American
society to the development of policies and programs of action. Certainly
the knowledge gained from social science research is basic to
wise formulation of policy and to the choice of effective programs of
dealing with these situations. 4 (Italics added.)
Professor Otto Klineberg, in the lead article of the first issue
of Social Problems) and on pages immediately following Burgess'
statement (above) expressed himself as follows:
... Those of us who concern ours.elves with social issues or social
problems, in the hope that we can contribute something to the improvement
of human relations, are not in,frequently looked upon
with suspicion, as if we were somehow proving unfaithful to our
scientific Hippocratic Oath.
The fact remains that such a concern is growing rapidly....5
Later in the same issue, Donald V. McGranahan writes:
I think we can all agree that not much is really known about the
human implications of technological change in countries that are