On the original and acquired meaning of the term 'statistics,' and on the proper functions of a statistical society : also on the question whether there be a science of statistics, and, if so, what are its nature and objects, and what is its relation to political economy and 'social science' / by William A. Guy.

  • William Augustus Guy
Date:
[1865]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the original and acquired meaning of the term 'statistics,' and on the proper functions of a statistical society : also on the question whether there be a science of statistics, and, if so, what are its nature and objects, and what is its relation to political economy and 'social science' / by William A. Guy. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    From the Journal of the Statistical Societt of London, December, 1865. On the Original and Acquired Meaning of the term “ Statistics,” and on the Proper Functions of a Statis- tical Society : also on the Question whether there he a Science of Statistics ; and, if so, what are its Nature and Objects, and what is its Belation to Political Economy and “ Social Science.” By William A. Guy, M.B., F.B.C.P., one of the Honorary Secretaries of the Statistical Society. [Read before the Statistical Society, 21st November, 1865.] It cannot, I think, be denied that those who cultivate the branch of knowledge which this Society was established to foster and pro- mote, are held in less estimation than men who devote the same labour and similar talents to many other pursuits. This arises in part from misapprehensions as to the meaning of the word “ Statistics,” and as to the objects and aims of statistical inquiries; and in part to the common mistake of confounding the laborious collection of facts which constitutes the second process of every sound statistical inquiry with the whole procedure, overlooking alike the judgment and scientific insight which planned the inquiry, and the critical and analytical talent employed in discovering and displaying the truth. The aim of this communication is to vindicate the claim of Statistics to an honourable place among the sciences, and of statistical inquiries to the credit of which they have been unintentionally deprived. In carrying my purpose into effect, I shall observe the order of inquiry indicated in the title of the paper itself. 1. On the Original and Acquired Meaning of the term “Statistics. The word “ Statistik,” from which the English “ Statistics ” is derived, is somewhat more than a century old. It appears to have been first used by Gottfried Achenwal, professor of law and politics at Gottingen, in his work entitled “ Statsverfassung der heutigen “ vornehmsten Europaischen Beiche und Yolker,”* of which the first edition bears date 12th April, 1749. The word Statistic does not appear on the title page of the book, but is printed in large letters at the head of a short sketch of the bibliography of politics prior to the appearance of the author’s work. This sketch is headed “ Vor- “ bereitung von der STATISTIK [Statskunde] uberhaupt,” and * The sixth edition of this work has been purchased for the library of the Society.