Meaning: This quote by Albion Small, a prominent sociologist, reflects a critique of the historical discipline from the perspective of sociology. Small suggests that historians have become so focused on the technical aspects of their work, such as gathering and analyzing facts, that they have lost sight of the broader purpose of their discipline. He argues that historians have become so adept at the "how" of historical inquiry that they have overlooked the "what" and "why" – the deeper truths and meanings that give historical facts significance.

Small's criticism can be understood within the context of the development of the social sciences in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. During this period, disciplines such as sociology emerged as distinct fields of study, with their own methodologies and perspectives on human society and behavior. Small, as a sociologist, was likely concerned with the tendency of historians to focus narrowly on empirical details and chronologies, without engaging with broader social and cultural dynamics.

One interpretation of Small's quote is that he is calling for a more reflective and critical approach to historical inquiry. He suggests that historians should not only be concerned with amassing facts and data, but also with interpreting and understanding the deeper significance of those facts within the context of human society. In other words, he is advocating for a more holistic and interpretive approach to history, one that goes beyond mere collection of information to uncover the underlying truths and meanings that shape human experience.

From a sociological perspective, Small's critique can be seen as a call for historians to engage with the social and cultural forces that shape historical events and processes. He may be urging historians to consider questions of power, inequality, ideology, and social change, rather than simply compiling a catalog of events and dates. By doing so, historians can contribute to a deeper understanding of the complexities of human society and the ways in which historical events are shaped by broader social forces.

It is worth noting that Small's critique of historians can also be seen as a reflection of the broader tensions between different academic disciplines. The emergence of sociology and other social sciences represented a challenge to the dominance of traditional historical and philosophical approaches to understanding human society. Small's quote can be interpreted as a statement of the distinctiveness of sociology as a discipline, one that emphasizes the study of social structures, institutions, and processes, and encourages a critical and reflexive approach to understanding the social world.

In summary, Albion Small's quote offers a thought-provoking critique of the historical discipline from the perspective of sociology. It challenges historians to move beyond the mere accumulation of facts and data, and to engage in a more reflective and critical interpretation of historical events within the broader context of human society. Small's quote can be seen as a call for historians to consider the social and cultural dimensions of history, and to contribute to a deeper understanding of the complexities of human experience.