The Evolution of the Conscious Faculties

Abstract

THIS book contains much valuable matter in the shape of introspective analysis, experimental investigation, and critical examination of theories, of the mental faculties. Dr. Varendonck leaves the impression of an enthusiastic and competent student of conscious processes. He takes Bergson and Freud as his directors. He follows Bergson in distinguishing two kinds of memory, but he names them reduplicative (Bergson's pure memory, the integral record of the past) and synthetic (Bergson's habit-memory). He also follows Bergson in the view that memory is an essential factor of perception. His method, on the other hand, closely follows the kind of analysis with which Freud has familiarised us in the “Traum-deutung,” but unlike Freud he lays no emphasis on the sex motive, nor is he in any way obsessed with the idea of symbolism. It is a sane and useful discussion of the nature and origin of intelligence.

The Evolution of the Conscious Faculties.

Dr.

J.

Varendonck

By. Pp. 259. (London: G. Allen and Unwin, Ltd.; New York: The Macmillan Co., 1923.) 12s. 6d. net.