There are two distinct ways in which we may regard the facts and problems of human nature. We may, on the one hand, treat them descriptively. We may collect and analyze all sorts of facts concerning human nature and make generalizations there from. We may formulate laws descriptive of the actual operations of human nature. Such is the procedure of psychology. The general science of human behavior. Such is the procedure of sociology. The science of human behavior in its social relations. Social psychology is really the key to sociology. It is the description and interpretation of the individual's behavior, as influenced by social contacts and in turn as determining his social attitudes. The distinction between individual psychology and social psychology is simply one of emphasis. In individual psychology the self's social contacts and attitudes are considered primarily as properties of the individual person. In social psychology the individual person is regarded primarily as the meeting point of Social relations. Both procedures are correct if not pushed to the point of excluding one another.
On the other hand, we may study human nature normatively. When we do this we are concerned with the facts of human behavior, including, particularly, thoughtful behavior, with special regard to the values, the ends, the goods or the ideals which man by his purposeful activity seeks to realize. Ethics is commonly defined as the fundamental science of human values. It is the business of ethics to determine in the light of rational reflection what are the most comprehensive and best values, ends, goods, ideals which should guide man in his purposive activity. Now the business of ethics and social philosophy is preeminently with values, ends, goods; and philosophy is the systematic study of human values, therefore ethics is a philosophical science and an essential part.......
