The author of the book, Professor Lester F. Ward, is our greatest Sociologist, and recognized in Europe far more than here—as is quite natural. He now occupies the chair of Sociology at Brown University, in Providence, R. I. His previous books have had wide influence—"Dynamic Sociology" and "Psychic Factors in Civilization"—as well as much current literature in scientific magazines.
The special theory here referred to is, in a word, this:
That the female sex is the present form of the original type of life, once capable in itself of the primary process of reproduction; while the male sex is a later addition, introduced as an assistant to the original organism, in the secondary process of fertilization.
Most biologists still deny this.
Most readers, not knowing whether it is so or not, will say, "Why is that important?"
It will take time and study to establish the facts; but only a little use of the mind is needed to establish the importance to men and women.
Our ideas are all based on the primal concept expressed in the Adam and
Eve story—that he was made first, and that she was made to assist him.
On this assumption rests all our social structure as it concerns the
sexes.
Reverse this idea once and for all; see that woman is in reality the race-type, and the man the sex-type—and all our dark and tangled problems of unhappiness, sin and disease, as between men and women, are cleared at once. Much, very much, of our more general trouble is traceable tho same source.
You don't see it? Never mind. Read the book; or at least read the great Fourteenth Chapter, which covers the ground.
The book is "PURE SOCIOLOGY," by Lester F. Ward. Published by the
MacMillan Co. Price, $4.00.