It seems in many respects a pity that the author should have given to the work the name "Psychology" rather than "Introduction to Philosophy"; whether one agree or disagree with the conclusions reached by experimental psychology, such is the richness and authoritative character of the evidence it presents, that no text- book in psychology can be regarded as wholly fulfilling its function which does not give a critical estimate of the bearing of this evidence on the past laws affected by it. The present writer has no desire to exalt psychology at the expense of metaphysics and epistemology; on the contrary, he considers that in separating themselves from psychology these sciences gain not less in value and definition than psychology; but he cannot concede that the discussion of epistemological and metaphysical questions belongs properly to a treatise on psychology.
While, therefore, it cannot be said that the contents of Professor Davis's work wholly warrant the name "Psychology," its scope is such as to include much the same ground as that covered by a German Einleitung in die Philosophie. And for the purpose of acquainting the student with the more important problems of psychology, and with the general philosophical questions underlying them, the work may be recommended.
In the preface to this book the author says: "It is what its title designates it, a Rudimentary Psychology. There is very little effort at original discussion or speculation." The facts of psychology presented are the main ones — according to the "consensus of the latest and best authorities." Those latest and best authorities run from Reid and Stewart to McCosh via Hopkins, and the straight Scottish character of the route is unbroken by a reference to German psychology. As "the work is intended for a one-term study " only, its influence either for good or bad will be limited, except that it renders possible another of those superficial courses which are the bane of higher and lower education alike in America. It is a cause for thankfulness, that with the excellent text-books of James, Murray, and Höffding at hand, the raison d'être of mere compilations has passed away.
