The Human Mind: The Organ of Thought in function and Dystunction
MENTAL HEALTH 25 Book Reviews
- Author:
Murao Mackenzie, M.D., M.R.C.P. J. & A.
Churchill, Ltd., London. 7s. 6d.
The domination of Freud over psychotherapy during the past decades has, to a considerable extent, obscured the study of mind as a thinking organ. Much of modern research has been directed to the discovery of evidence in support ?f Freudian claims (and those of derivative schools) while the investigation of man’s intellect, having in view that most of man’s problems are due to thinking disorder, has been oddly neglected. It is, therefore, welcome and stimulating to find a medical psychologist of standing who is blazing a new trail away from Freud yet, in the reviewer’s opinion, who is advancing the path of true psychological progress.
Dr Murdo Mackenzie is well known for his original views on the subject of anxiety and depression, and the present work is a compre- hensive elucidation of his hypothesis of mind activity in function and dysfunction. Dr. Mackenzie takes his stand on the premise that mind is an organ with thinking as its function.. ^ is by reason of his organ of thinking that man w what he is, and his mind troubles are essentially determined by thinking troubles. The forces of the mind are differentiated as ” immediacy ” and ” deliberation ” with the quality of thinking described as ” simplification ” and ” amplifica- tion These characteristics are innate to the niind and conflict arises when an ” immediate ” through environmental circumstances, over- yalues his opposite ” deliberate ” and attempts jp function mentally as such. Equally, a it’ simplifier ” may attempt to function as an ” amplifierThe result is a block which Produces anxiety or an over-running of the mind organ. This in time, if unrelieved, must lead to an under-running or apathy which may originate a defence by the mental attitude of depression. To give more than the above bare outline of the Mackenzie psychology is not possible here, hut it will be noted that the approach is strictly ?ntellectual and it may be stated that the implica- tions have been carefully worked out and have “?t been found wanting by the test of experience. Orthodox psychiatrists will find their views on he Kraepelin conception of the manic-depressive disorder convincingly challenged. We have een complacent in our acceptance of the descriptive psychopathology of this condition, yet there is an inherent confusion in the nomenclature. Mania, or excitement, implies an over-running of the mind forces, while depression represents an attitude of mind. The Mackenzie cycle would be: anxiety (over-running), excite- ment with assertion; followed by apathy and a secondary defence attitude of depression with inadequacy and guilt. Here is a conception which is at once novel and revolutionary.
This is a major psychological work which demands the close study of all medical psycho- logists, especially those who feel that the current of present day psychopathology is eddying futilely instead of pursuing the main stream. It would not be too much to hope that the publica- tion of this work will lead to the initiation of a new school. The medical psychologist without established prejudices will experience a freshness of viewpoint which is most stimulating. There is a sustained logicality in both the presentation of the hypothesis and its application in the author’s technique of psychotherapy. Neces- sarily brief within the compass of a single book, one feels that certain aspects of the exposition demand and are well worthy of expansion. The Mackenzie hypothesis has an application in national psychology and international psychopathology. The chapter on ” Mind and the National Emergency ” offers a shrewd and realistic interpretation of the psychological catastrophe of the times. From a reading of this book, dictators, doctrinaire politicians and economists, and the ” man in the street “, would greatly profit. Psychology will yet be mightier than the sword, and this book, ” The Human Mind “, is a contribution to this great end. G.S.
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