Folkways
by William Graham Sumner (1840–1910)
- Free to read
- 19 hours to read
- 22 chapters
- Reading level: 8th & 9th grade
"Folkways" by William Graham Sumner is a sociological treatise written in the early 20th century. The work explores the concept of "folkways," which Sumner defines as the customary behaviors, practices, and ethics that govern social conduct within a group or society. It aims to illuminate how these societal norms evolve unconsciously over time and how they shape human interactions and institutions. The opening of "Folkways" introduces the foundational ideas that underlie the author's exploration of societal customs and morals. Sumner begins by explaining his intent to define and analyze "folkways," emphasizing their role as a social force developed unconsciously through repetitive actions and group interactions aimed at satisfying common human needs. He underscores that folkways, while initially stemming from individual impulses, ultimately attain societal authority and coherence, guiding behavior in ways that are often taken for granted. The chapter sets the stage for a deeper examination of how these practices affect societal welfare and the internal dynamics of groups throughout history.
Read the opening
Chapter I: Fundamental Notions of the Folkways and of the Mores
Definition and mode of origin of the folkways.—The folkways are
a societal force.—Folkways are made unconsciously.—Impulse
and instinct; primeval stupidity; magic.—The strain of
improvement and consistency.—The aleatory element.—All
origins are lost in mystery.—Spencer on primitive custom.—
Good and bad luck; ills of life; goodness and happiness.—
Illustrations.—Immortality and compensation.—Tradition and
its restraints.—The concepts of "primitive society";
"we-groups" and "others-groups."—Sentiments in the in-group
towards out-groups.—Ethnocentrism.—Illustrations.—
Patriotism.—Chauvinism.—The struggle for existence and the
competition of life; antagonistic cooperation.—Four motives:
hunger, love, vanity, fear.—The process of making folkways.—
Suggestion and suggestibility.—Suggestion in education.—
Manias.—Suggestion in politics.—Suggestion and criticism.—
Folkways based on false inferences.—Harmful folkways.—How
"true" and "right" are found.—The folkways are right; rights;
morals.—The folkways are true.—Relations of world philosophy
to folkways.—Definition of the mores.—Taboos.—No primitive
philosophizing; myths; fables; notion of social welfare.—The
imaginative element.—The ethical policy and the success
policy.—Recapitulation.—Scope and method of the mores.—
Integration of the mores of a group or age.—Purpose of the
present work.—Why use the word "mores."—The mores are a
directive force.—Consistency in the mores.—The mores of
subgroups.—What are classes?—Classes rated by societal
value.—Class; race; group solidarity.—The masses and the
mores.—Fallacies about the classes and the masses.—Action of
the masses on ideas.—Organization of the masses.—Institutions
of civil liberty.—The common man.—The "people"; popular
impulses.—Agitation.—The ruling element in the masses.—The
mores and institutions.—Laws.—How laws and institutions
differ from mores.—Difference between mores and some cognate
things.—Goodness or badness of the mores.—More exact
definition of the mores.—Ritual.—The ritual of the mores.—
Group interests and policy.—Group interests and folkways.—
Force in the folkways.—Might and right.—Status.—
Conventionalization.—Conventions indispensable.—The "ethos"
or group character; Japan.—Chinese ethos.—Hindoo ethos.—
European ethos.
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About this edition
This free edition of Folkways by William Graham Sumner comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #24253, released 2008-01-11. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Sociology.
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