New-York tribune., 1902-02-02
REMARKABLE QUESTIONS.
WHAT HARVARD STUDENTS OF PHI
LOSOPHY WERE ASKED TO ANALYZE,
DESCRIBE AND EXPLAIN.

'Is this sn examination paper original
romance by Professor Minsterburg," was the ques-
tion that three hundred Harvard students asked
themselves on Monday. January o. when they read
the paper for a midyear examination in the
known philosophy IA. Without an ex-
PLANTATION most Tribune readers would probably
pronounce II a romance Certainly no such ex-
animation paper ever seen before. even in a
Harvard philosophy course.
Philosophy IA is of the most popular courses
Harvard. For the first half year it covers ele-
mentary psychology. and for the second half year
logic. Professor Hugo Munsterburg. d we'll known
German psychologist, is the lecturer psychology
this year. Professor William James's textbook is
used "Ze book OF James, Professor Minister
burg refers it, This textbook is regarded less
less subty psychological than the novels Of the au-
thors brother. and more entertaining 10 the aver
age undergraduate. 1t iss more than textbook
it iss full of the charm Of re personality OF Pro-
fessor James on every page" Professor Minister
burg says. Professor Munsterburgs own lectures
also full of his personality. satire and humor
Between the textbook and the expounder. three
hundred undergraduates set to watching and
analyzing the processes of their minds with great
enthusiasm. and a good deal less conceit than
usual follows such explorations They are always.
prepared. too, for something novel from the balo-
headed professor with his powerful glasses. who
holds their attention for solid hour three after
Moons d week. But they were not prepared for
the examination paper
If psychology is to teach men 10 analyze and ex-
plain every process of their mental lives, the stu
dents agreed it a practical paper But why
was 1t cast in such romantic form? The
PLANTATION generally agreed upon was that Pro-
fessor Minsterburg decided that the mental proc
esses he set forth for his pupils to explain
the most common to the undergraduate
typical OF sophomore mood. And most of the
undergraduates laughingly admit that he was
right. The entire absence of technical questions.
such Define the stream of consciousness or
What are the processes of volition?'' How
does suggestion work in The cerebral tissues?'
makes the paper all the difficult TO answer
scientifically. though three hours are allowed for
the task. y peep the students blue books would
be interesting class of three hundred Harvard
undergraduates always contains some humorists-
and the subject would doubtless tempt them.
The examination paper is follows:
Analyze describe and explain very briefly the
psychical processes involved in the following eX-
pfFifebeeS; together with the physical processes
brain and in the muscles, laying chief emphasis
Of a given Kind has been described and explained
in one question. do not repeat it in the other.
y young man Is sitting a winter afternoon in
his room. looking at small marble statue on his
He feels comfortable.
He notices the whiteness of the marble and the
He observes the forms of the statue and
pecially its plastic extension in the third dimen-
He enjoys its graceful lines;
lie touches II and feels 1t as hard, cold and
smooth
The eye of the statue attracts his full attention
He recognizes the statue as a Greek goddess
He has the general conception of Greek my
thology.
The status reminds him of a lady he met last
summer
Tie name of the lady comes to his mind
He remembers witty remark of hers which had
He remembers the place where he saw her most
frequently.
He thinks what long summer month II was
and yet how rapidly IL passed.
He expects to see her again next year and i'm
agines the scene.
He feels happy emotion in the thought
The clock in the room strikes six. He hears the
sound as coming from the right and behind him
He notices that the time between the fifth and
the foregoing
he is surprised to think il is late
lie thinks of reading a book which he ought to
read hut which is tiresome: he hesitates and lin
gers finally he decides to read and opens the book
1t becomes dark; the cOlOrs of the room dis
appear
Almost automatically he takes his violin and
plays by heart melody.
He notices the timbre of the instrument
the hfths. N %
The melody makes him sad
suddenly spark leaps from the open wood fire
INTO the room ana appears glowing line
painfully. ' ''ee'
He instinctively contracts his arm but inten
tlohally lnhloitS the movement
pain becomes unnoticed; he listens 49,
Inc step sounds familiar.
lie teels excited when the door is opened
In spite OF Its odd FORM this paper must NOT he
regarded as a Jest. Every sentence typihes some