Journal of Philosophy, Inc.

L'Ennui: Étude Psychologique by E. TardieuReview by: Shepherd Ivory FranzThe Journal of Philosophy, Psychology and Scientific Methods, Vol. 10, No. 16 (Jul. 31, 1913),p. 447Published by: Journal of Philosophy, Inc.Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2012904 .

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PSYCHOLOGY AND SCIENTIFIC METHODS 447

L'Ennui: etude psychologique. E. TARDIEU. Second edition. Paris: F. Alcan. 1913. Pp. ii+284. This book, now in its second edition, deals with a mental state which

may be considered a border-line condition between the normal and the ab- normal. Ennui may not be well defined, but is described as " the equiva- lent of repose " and "the condition for work." All occasions and times give rise to ennui. A business or occupation is a detestable servitude and is described as an "enuui en permanence," but some professions, e. g., journalism, politics, acting, art, literature, are less so than others, because in them there is constant change. The work is cleverly written, and throughout there are numerous wise or cynical or satirical (the interpre- tation probably depending upon the reader's mood) aphorisms, such as that regarding business quoted above and the following: "s'ennuer a' deux, tel est l'ideal conjugal," and " 1'ennui est le demon de la femme." Although a chapter is devoted to the consideration of remedies, it is apparent that few can ever follow out the suggested treatment and become normal. Al- though not strictly scientific, its cleverness makes it well worth reading, for it is as entertaining as many recent novels. If a book of this character mirrors the author's mental state, there is sufficient in it to warrant the belief that he is a combination of misanthrope, philosopher, and humorist.

SHEPHERD IVORY FRANZ. GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE,

WASHINGTON, D. C.

JOURNALS AND NEW BOOKS

REVUE PHILOSOPHIQUE. February, 1913. Les defenses psy- chiques (pp. 113-134): DR. I. IOTEYKO. - This, a first article, is a study of pain starting out from the esthophylactic principle established by Sergi. Origine des images symboliques (pp. 135-155): E. BRENIER. -From the author's point of view, the image is the fixed element and the concept, the variable element. In the conflict between beliefs and realities, " the sym- bolic image is nothing but the most economical -solution possible of this conflict and the return to equilibrium." La valeur du pragmatisme (pp. t56-183): H. ROBET. - " The originality of pragmatism is in having ... subordinated the true and the real to the useful, in having made of value and of the good the keystone of epistemology, and in having placed in mo- rality the foundations of metaphysics itself. . . . But a radical pragmatism is only possible on condition that one accepts by blind instinct the supreme ends of human life," and this is its great weakness. Analyses et comptes rendus. De Roberty, Les concepts de la raison et les lois de l'univers: G. H. LUQUET. J. M. Baldwin, Thought and Things, Vol. III.: A. LA- LANDE. Dr. E. Lask, Die Lehre vom Urteil: G. H. LUQUET. Dr. M. Mon- tessori, Le case dei bambini: L. DUaAs. H. Dussauze, Les regles esthe- tiques et les lois du sentiment: C. LALO. t. Landry, La theorie du rhythme et le rhythme du franVais declame: L. M. t. Vendeen, Principes du beau: A. JoussiN. C. Bellange, Spinoza et la philosophie moderne: R. BERROD.

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