Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 2.djvu/631

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REVIEWS 617

doctrine are scarcely more lamentable than the confusion arising from a theory which finds it necessary, or possible, to say, as does Professor Binet in his final paragraph: "Outside of our consciousness may occur conscious thoughts in us that we are not aware of." I confess this has no meaning to me and repetition and reflection do but further confound. In order that I may have a thought of which I am not conscious, I shall find it necessary to reconstruct my whole psycho- logical vocabulary and ascribe to thought and consciousness meanings quite foreign to those they now possess. Be all this as it may, such studies as are here reported go far to make clear how infinitely complex a thing the self is and in how large a measure its unity is the functional one of binding together the utterly diverse. The wonder is not that rifts and cleavages should sometimes appear in it, but rather that it should ever present itself as a unit.

The book is distinctly welcome in its English form and the trans- lation is thoroughly creditable, being smooth and accurate and in the main happy in its technical terminology. The typography is also good. Professor Baldwin's avowed part in the project is chiefly of the god- fatherly and protective character, although his preface and notes will give valuable supplementary suggestions to many readers. A table of contents is an improvement on the French edition.

JAMES ROWLAND ANGELL. THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO.