Moral statistics
Encyclopedia
Moral statistics most narrowly refers to numerical data generally considered to be indicative of social pathology in groups of people. Examples include statistics on crimes
(against persons and property), illiteracy, suicide
, illegitimacy, abortion, divorce, prostitution, and the economic situation sometimes called pauperism
in the 19th century.
The gathering of anything that might be called social statistics is often dated from John Graunt
’s (1662)
analysis of the London Bills of Mortality, which tabulated birth and death data collected by London parishes. The beginnings of the systematic collection of population statistics (now called demography
) occurred in the mid-18th century, often attributed to Johann Peter Süssmilch
in 1741. Data on moral variables began to be collected and disseminated by various state agencies (most notably in France and Britain) in the early 19th century, and were widely used in debates about social reform.
The first major work on this topic was the Essay on moral statistics of France by
André-Michel Guerry
in 1833. In this book, Guerry presented thematic map
s of the departments of France, shaded according to illiteracy, crimes against persons and against property, illegitimacy, donations to the poor and so forth, and used these to ask questions about how such moral variables were related.
In Britain this theme was taken up beginning in 1847 by Joseph Fletcher who published several articles on the topic Moral and educational statistics of England and Wales.
Crime statistics
Crime statistics attempt to provide statistical measures of the crime in societies. Given that crime is usually secretive by nature, measurements of it are likely to be inaccurate....
(against persons and property), illiteracy, suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
, illegitimacy, abortion, divorce, prostitution, and the economic situation sometimes called pauperism
Pauperism
Pauperism is a term meaning poverty or generally the state of being poor, but in English usage particularly the condition of being a "pauper", i.e. in receipt of relief administered under the poor law...
in the 19th century.
The gathering of anything that might be called social statistics is often dated from John Graunt
John Graunt
John Graunt was one of the first demographers, though by profession he was a haberdasher. Born in London, the eldest of seven or eight children of Henry and Mary Graunt. His father was a draper who had moved to London from Hampshire...
’s (1662)
analysis of the London Bills of Mortality, which tabulated birth and death data collected by London parishes. The beginnings of the systematic collection of population statistics (now called demography
Demography
Demography is the statistical study of human population. It can be a very general science that can be applied to any kind of dynamic human population, that is, one that changes over time or space...
) occurred in the mid-18th century, often attributed to Johann Peter Süssmilch
Johann Peter Süssmilch
Johann Peter Süßmilch or Süssmilch was a German priest, statistician and demographer....
in 1741. Data on moral variables began to be collected and disseminated by various state agencies (most notably in France and Britain) in the early 19th century, and were widely used in debates about social reform.
The first major work on this topic was the Essay on moral statistics of France by
André-Michel Guerry
André-Michel Guerry
André-Michel Guerry was a French lawyer and amateur statistician. Together with Adolphe Quetelet he may be regarded as the founder of moral statistics which led to the development of criminology, sociology and ultimately, modern social science.- Early life and education :Guerry was born in Tours,...
in 1833. In this book, Guerry presented thematic map
Thematic map
A thematic map is a type of map or chart especially designed to show a particular theme connected with a specific geographic area. These maps "can portray physical, social, political, cultural, economic, sociological, agricultural, or any other aspects of a city, state, region,nation , or...
s of the departments of France, shaded according to illiteracy, crimes against persons and against property, illegitimacy, donations to the poor and so forth, and used these to ask questions about how such moral variables were related.
In Britain this theme was taken up beginning in 1847 by Joseph Fletcher who published several articles on the topic Moral and educational statistics of England and Wales.
Further reading
- Friendly M. (2007) "A.-M. Guerry's Moral Statistics of France: Challenges for Multivariable Spatial Analysis", Statistical Science, 22 (3), 368–399. Project Euclid