Sin and Society: An Analysis of Latter-Day Iniquity. Written by Edward Alsworth Ross (December 12, 1866 – July 22, 1951), Professor of Sociology in The University of Wisconsin; Author of "Social Control," "The Foundations of Sociology," Etc. With a Letter from President Roosevelt Published in Boston And New York in 1907Preface:-----THIS book deals with sin, but it does not en treat the sinner to mend his ways. It seeks to influence no one in his conduct. It does seek to influence men in their attitude toward the conduct of others. Its exhortation is not Be good, but Be rational. To modify conduct one touches the heart. To modify the judgments on con duct one speaks to the intellect. The latter is the method of this book. Its aim is to enlighten rather than to move.-----In praising or blaming each of us exerts a power over his fellows. When the praises or blames of many men run together, they become a torrent no one can withstand. Why let this moral power run to waste? Why not use this public opinion to protect our dearest possessions?-----In its reactions against wrong-doing the public is childishly naive and sentimental. It is con tent with the surface look of things. It lays emphasis where emphasis was laid centuries ago. It beholds sin in a false perspective, seeing peccadilloes as crimes, and crimes as peccadilloes. It never occurs to the public that sin evolves along with society, and that the perspective in which it is necessary to view misconduct changes from age to age. Hence, in today's warfare on sin, the reactions of the public are about as service able as gongs and stink-pots in a modern battle. Rationalize public opinion; modernize it and bring it abreast of latter-day sin; make the blame of the many into a flaming sword guarding the sacred interests of society — such is the lesson this little book seeks to impress.EDWARD ALSWORTH Ross.The Publisher has copy-edited this book to improve the formatting, style and accuracy of the text to make it readable. This did not involve changing the substance of the text. Some books, due to age and other factors may contain imperfections. Since there are many books such as this one that are important and beneficial to literary interests, we have made it digitally available and have brought it back into print for the preservation of printed works of the past. Making this copy is very readable.