The author, a sociologist of immensely wide reading, searches for fundamental principles and for certain dimensions which could both be of use, and also be generally accepted. He attempts a definition of the 'Norm' and finds that it is virtually impossible to formulate such a definition with accuracy. What he does define, however, is a condition of minimal disability or a certain minimal area of abnormality in terms of intra-psychic and social adjustment. He asserts that there is a considerable degree of agreement about this area, and quotes extensively from the literature to support his thesis.

He outlines the difficulty which confronts sociology and questions whether to find out what is should be the limit of the sociologist's responsibility, or whether he is entitled or required to extend his terms of reference to include a recommendation regarding what ought to be. In other words, the