The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-04-06
Liberal Viewpoint
BY DIR. HARRY ELMER BARNES


i an age whcih has advanced in revolutionary
fashion beyond the intellectual perspective OF
1900. In terms of the conceptions and knoWl-
edge of Einstein, Shapley and the newer aStro-
physics the scientific notions of Herbert Spencer
APPEAR thoroughly archaic and in many cases
quite irrelevant. An heroic task Of readJustmeot
is thus forced upon the present generation.
Professor Joad ranks next to Bertrand Rus
sell as the most interesting of living British
philosophers. He has plenty of learning and
scholarship, but he has been able to escape from
the arid metaphysics of the Continental English
and Scottish philosophers. His present work is
probably his most useful volume to date Guide
to Modern Thought. BY G. E. M. Joad Stokes.
$1.75. 1t is probably the most satisfactory sum-
mary we have of those intellectual achievements
of the twentieth century which have compelled
us to recast our whole mental perspective.
Here one will find an account of recent dis
coveries and advances, all the way from the
new quantum physics to psycho-analysis and the
exposure of spiritualism. Those who wish to
bring their thinking and knowledge thoroughly
up to date will find this one of the most useful
volumes in the English language.
MIR. HOFFMAN has prepared a clear sum-
1V1 mary of elementary philosophical princi-
Piles, with the aim of making them available for
the general reader and for the guidance Of
daily life. (The Art of Philosophy. BY w. w.
ceeded to a remarkable degree in achieving SIM
plicity and clarity but not few of his notions
will have to be abandoned in the light of the
new knowledge SO cleverly summarized by Pro-
lessor Joad. This is particularly true of the
lions dealing with religion.
Sigmund Freud is very adversely esteemed.
Some view him as veritably the anti Christ.
Others, who are not alarmed think of him as
an interesting intellectual curiosity. Reverent
disciples regard him as a unique genius who
settles finally all psychological and philosophical
problems with which he assumes to deal. Freud
himself has remained undaunted by criticism,
and he now continues his authoritative preSens
tation of his psychoanalytic principles. New
Introductory Lectures on Psycho-Analysis. BY
Sigmund Freud. w. w. Norton. $50.
It will be difficult for any fair minded reader
of this volume to fail to be impressed with the
originality, courage and constructive magma
ton of Doctor Freud. But he also will be likely
to conclude that Freud is more reliable as a
clinical psychologist than he is when he strays
into by-paths where he relies more upon his
imagination than upon his vast and compre-
hensive professional data.
Freudianism, like Darwinism, is sound fun
damentally, but will most certainly be modified
widely in detail with the subsequent growth
of our knowledge
One of the most revolutionary phases of our
knowledge has been the progress in our infor-
nation relative to the endocrine glands and
their effect upon human growth and behavior.
1t has been only within the present generation
that we have developed any exact information
relative to these glands of internal secretion.
and we still have much to learn about most of
them.
OUCH knowledge as we possess, however, has
~ completely revolutionized psychology and
physiology and is in the process of modifying
our doctrine of morals We once believed that
fhn hnnr Slo%0
was thought to be the brain. Now, we look
upon the glands as the basic physical factor in
determining the nature of our personality
though, of course one can not ignore the social
environment upon which Freud and others place
primary stress
Drs. Mayors and Robinson have written two
OF the very best popular summaries of our
knowledge Of the endocrine glands and their
SlgnlhcanceS in the shaping of personalitv
(What We Are and Why. BY Lawrence H
Mayors, M. D., in collaboration with Arthur D
Welton. Sears. So. (Our Mysterious Life
GLANDS. BY j. Robinson. Eugenics Pub Co.
SO though they may imply more certainty
than actually exists they are generally reliable
and comprehensibly illuminating.
Mr.. Breltlgan brings to bear upon leading
problems OF life and conduct the broad expert
ence and eminent common sense of a realistic
journalist Dare to Live. BY Gerald Breitigan
Falcon Press. so. His book will demonstrate
very effectively to the unpreiudiced reader that
wisdom is by no means monopoly of those who
oWeL within the clustered halls Of learning
Inc book by DrS. BuSchke and JacobSohn is
sane and competent introduction to sex hy-
glene and conduct by two eminent German
specialists. Sex Habits: A Vital Factor in
Well-Being. BY A Buschke and r Jacobsohn.
Emerson Books. $3.50. While laying primary
stress upon physical factors, they give sufficient
and tolerant consideration to the psychological
elements involved. 1t is one of the best intro
auctions to the subject in print, and more brief
and clear than most comparable books.