Learning to Think
- Author:
Lindsay Dewar. Needs
of Today Series, No. 18. Rich & Cowan, Ltd., London. 3s. 6d.
For those who have never taken the trouble to consider ways and methods of thinking and who wish to know of a readable and interesting introduction to the subject this small book of Canon Dewar’s can be confidently recommended. Its three sections cover a great deal of ground. The first is concerned with different types of thinking and with the rules of the syllogism. The second calls attention to various matters that may tend to prejudice correct thinking and that may vitiate conclusions arrived at. While the third, after a consideration of human capacities and after some observations on Intelligence Quotients, Spearman’s factors and temperamental differences, gives suggestions for increasing mental efficiency. The role of the unconscious is emphasized at various points.
Whether this intriguing ingredient of the personality is responsible for all that different writers and thinkers attribute to it may be doubted. It is at any rate stimulating to feel that from its depths may flow psychic energy released we know not how and that if appro priate contact with it can be achieved it may automatically provide us with the solution to our more difficult problems.
A psychological flavour is apparent through out the book, but towards the end of the last chapter the author asserts that a purely scientific approach is not sufficient in human affairs. He gives as a theoretical example a case of malignant disease where after prayer and anointing, the patient lives for many years. The suggestion here seems to be that faith in an object that is absolutely trustworthy is necessary for its effectiveness. Psychologically this seems to be incorrect. Surely a more favourable situation in illness can be achieved by faith in an object totally untrustworthy. H.C.S.
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