Mr. Noyes has attempted to synthesize the results of experimental medicine and psychology into a conceptual scheme of man, alone in the physical world. Before social sciences can become true sciences, Mr. Noyes holds, the social scientist must understand the biologic and physical background of man's social existence. Equally important is the adoption of the technic and methods of the established sciences.
The study is presented as step one of a proposed three part survey of man's economic life. After an understanding has been reached of man's physical existence, the second step would be an examination of the technical methods by which man has adapted himself to his environment. The third step would be an investigation of the social institutions which coordinate and direct the efforts of men.
The body of the study is a discussion of a wide range of physical and psychologic experiments, thoroughly documented in lengthy appendixes,