The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-09-23
Rx LLouIs ENGDAHL.


studied, so much to be discussed
in Moscow, that one feels continually
before an avalanche of things to be
accomplished.
Thus l switched in two-hour visit
to the Institute for the Investigation
of the Higher Nervous System be-
tween an interview with Mrs. Hen
rietta Derman, head of the Library of
the Communist Academy, and a hear
ing called by the Organization De-
partment of the Communist Interna-
tional to discuss the problems of our
American Party.
"The Institute" is part of the
Communist Academy. In short, it is
called "The Brain Institute" and
Comrade Derman had emphasized,
"You must visit our Brain Insti-
tute' ," You will find it very interest
ing.
1t is hoped some day, soon, to as
semble all the activities of the Com
munist Academy at one spot. Com.
rade Derman had pointed out that
that would be possible if the i'm
perialist powers do not soon plunge
the Soviet Union into another war.
At present, however, the Library is
located at No. H., Snamenka Street,
while "The Institute" is some distance
away at No. 1, Marx-Engels Street,
with the Marx Engels Institute, Of
which | have already written, as it's
close neighbor.
The building is not very impressive,
but this is forgotten as one seeks to
grasp the tremendous work that is
being attempted within its walls. The
director of ''The Institute" is Fursi-
kov, pupil of Pavlov, of Leningrad,
and it's general secretary is Salmon
son.
1t is the aim of "The Institute" to
apply the ideas inherent in the works
of the great Russian psychologist,
Pavlov, to the mentality of man.
Pavlov has succeeded in sketching out
physiological theory Of certain
states in the dog known as sleep,
! hypnotism, unconscious cerebration
and suggestion. These states are
usually regarded as having something
to do with the mind" If it is so,
then Pavlov has succeeded in giving
a physiological explanation of certain
mental" phenomena. Now physi-
ology deals with matter, and in so far
as mental states can receive a physi-
illogical explanation, they can receive
materialistic explanation.
In his book, Conditioned Reflexes,"
just issued in English by Oxford Uni
yersity, in England, Pavlov makes no
reference to any animals except dogs.
reasonable implications of his expert
ments for animals other than dogs,
such as man. Though Pavlov him.
self refuses to draw any such con-
clusions, there is no reason why
others should not. That is exactly the
task of this brain Institute" in Mos
cow. The great conclusion is simply
this
If certain mental states of the
dog can be given physiological ex-
PLANTATION, is it not likely that some,
and perhaps all, mental states in
man can be given a physiological, lie,
materialistic explanation.
As a result, therefore, of the work
that is here being carried forward,
with energy and enthusiasm, many
of the less complicated common "men-
tap states of men may soon receive
fairly complete physiological explana-
tons, and great deal of the mys-
ticism associated with the operation
of the mind" and spirit" of man
will evaporate.
Pavlov has directed an extensive
research for the last 25 years into the
physiological activities of the cere-
bral cortex, i.e., of the top part of
the brain in the highest animals, such
as men and dogs. He has carried on
this work in Leningrad and the re-
suits have been published in about
$50 papers nearly all written in Rus
sian. Owing to the language diff
Guilty and the Bolshevik Revolution,
Western European and American
scientists were temporarily cut off
from a detailed knowledge of the re-
suits of this extensive research.
This condition is now being
remedied and as result much in
terest is being shown in the work of
"The Brain Institute" in Moscow,
which is being visited not only by
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