PREFATORY NOTE It is not presumed that the dissertation here presented will add much to the knowledge of Quetelet possessed by those who have read rather extensively in statistical literature. But it is hoped that the increasing number of those who are becoming interested in Quetelet and his work may find these pages useful. The first two chapters give brief sketches of the man, his work and his place in the history of statistics. The last three chapters present what are believed to be the most important of Quetelet's statistical principles. These include the conception of the Average Man as a type, the significance for social science of the regularities found in the moral actions of man, and the theoretical basis of the distribution of group phenomena about their type. Grateful acknowledgment should here be made to Professor Henry L. Moore for directing me to this stimulating subject, and for continued helpfulness in its pursuit. 447] 5 1 |