Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 10.djvu/530

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5M THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

reaches a very high degree of intensity in the higher forms of social intercourse. To sum up, the conclusions of this part up to this point might be said to be two. In the first place, the principle of consciousness of kind was found to contain the self-notion as a necessary and essential element. 33 The self, furthermore, was found to demand more than the application of descriptive cate- gories in order to have an adequate characterization not to mention even explanation; thus making appreciation one of its essential moments. The conclusion here is, then, that from these two arguments taken together we are justified in maintaining that consciousness of kind does and must include appreciation in order to be a consciousness of kind.

The consideration of consciousness of kind will continue with a more or less general examination of some of the other elements of the principle as defined by Professor Giddings, to find out whether they also involve appreciation. We will therefore, with- out any further preamble, plunge directly into the argument, fol- lowing, to a great extent, the order of the statement of the ele- ments in Professor Giddings' definition cited above. 34

We read in the definition that consciousness of kind is a " pleasurable state of mind." In the above-mentioned preface the author states that he has had some difficulty in selecting a proper name for this principle, owing to the fact that neither perception nor feeling might be omitted ; for a " consciousness of kind that includes feeling with perception is dynamic." 85 This shows the great importance of feeling in making the principle a dynamic one. That this is desirable is shown by the fact that he holds conscious- ness of kind to be the cause of all social activities which are intelli- gent and conscious, and not merely automatic or impulsive. 88 The fact of the stress put upon feeling as a constituent in this principle, which is given as the cause of consciously social activi- ties, leads one to compare this with what Professor Ormond says :

  • In fact, if the self-notion is not permitted as a moment in it, consciousness

of kind becomes an absurdity.

    • Vide p. 49.
  • Principles of Sociology, Preface to 3d ed., p. xiv.
    • Elements of Sociology, p. 66.