Paul Hanly Furfey spent his early professional career, from the time of his hire onto the faculty of the sociology department at Catholic University of America to the time just before he took a sabbatical to Germany, emphasizing scientific resources for social reform through childhood development. He promoted the integration of the social sciences and the Christian tradition as a way to effectively socialize children. He believed that the latest psychological and sociological standards provided important insight into child-rearing and that the data provided by these disciplines should be joined to spiritual resources in order to be effective in the more important question of salvation. Children could be raised to honourable adulthood and ultimately merit heaven given a conventional approach to childrearing. He continued his explorations into the place of philosophy and theology in the field of sociology. He challenged a materialist bias in the field while criticizing those who did not pursue their research with adequate rigor.
The Social Thought of American Catholics, 1634–1829. By C. J. Nuesse. Catholic University of America Studies in Sociology, Vol. X. (Washington, Catholic University of America Press, 1945. Pp. x, 315. $3.00).