Originality

PREFACE

THE object of the pages that follow is, first, to show the importance of a study of creative thought and to develop an interest in it; next, to offer some suggestions as to the natural history of mind in its most inspired moments; finally, to institute a regime for the individual whereby he may secure the highest mental efficiency.

That the programme is ambitious I know only too well, but I desire to draw attention to the limits imposed upon my treatment of the subject. I have addressed myself to general readers of the more thoughtful type, not to psychological students, except in so far as all intelligent people are nowadays included in that category. This, whilst compelling an observance of the scientific method, bas naturally demanded a practical study of the mind at work-i.e. psychology caught in the very act, not the formal science of the text-book. Such a method, however, cannot be safely pursued without the assistance of experts, and my pages bear ample witness to the fact that I have consulted their views. But it is a method that selects practical values as the criterion of worth in preference to systematic treatment on theoretical lines.

The civilised world appears to be preparing for a new era in which the strategy and tactics of war are to be applied to Will the race go to the swift and the battle to the strong? Possibly; but I should prefer to say that the race will be won by those whose minds possess the finer

commerce.

creative forces, especially as executive ability has now reached a high degree of efficiency. We may not care for the idea of continued warfare, even on a peaceful basis, but, despite the new cosmopolitanism which is bound to succeed the pronounced nationalism of the past, the nations are not yet likely to surrender their individuality as separate peoples; and in science, in literature, and in the fine arts generally, there is certain to be a renaissance of national traditions and ideals. In some respects this is a most desirable tendency, because it prevents the uniformity which is the accompaniment of large combinations. Herein the smaller nations will have an abundance of opportunity.

I have only touched the fringe of a great and ever fascinating subject, but the one thing I have aimed at in this book, apart from its discussions, is stimulus; and if I succeed in arousing an interest that shall bear fruit in practical endeavour I shall feel that my labours have received their reward.

LONDON, 1917.

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER

The Trend of Modern Psychology-Is towards Specu-
lative Issues-Neglecting Practical Affairs-Book
Psychology in Germany-To know, to feel, to resolve-
Are not so important as to create-A Plea for Indi-
viduality-Newness and Originality-The Importance
of " Difference "-Pitman's Shorthand and Humphrey's
Pump-Professor Butcher on Greek Literature-
Plagiarism: What is it ?-Reade, Voltaire, Gibbon-
A Curious Case in Nietzsche's Zarathustra-Imitation
and Originality-The Higher Imitation-Meshtrovic's
Eccentric Imitation-Difference between Poetic and
Scientific Originality - Originality defined The
Mystery of the Individual-We do not know Our-
selves-We wear Masks-The History of the Indi-
vidual-Social Antagonisms-Meredith's Leasehold
Marriage Idea-Penalties on Individuality imposed by
Negroes-Expression of the Unaffected Self

SECTIONI

THE NATURAL HISTORY OF GENIUS

I. CONSCIOUSNESS: SOME OF ITS CHARACTERISTICS
AND IMPLICATIONS

All Original Minds obey the same Laws-Superiority
lies in the Greater Range of Consciousness-Thus
Spatial Terms are used-e.g. deep, lofty-The Growth
of Consciousness from the Plant to Man-Our Inability
to define Consciousness-The Failure of Experimental
Psychology-Descartes and Pascal on Comprehension
and Certitude-Consciousness means the Whole Mind
-i.e. Feeling, Thought, and Will-We cannot isolate
one of these Functions-Plato's Conception of Bewpla-

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CHAPTER

CHAPTER I.-continued

Newman's Illative Sense-Schopenhauer's Idea of
Genius as Two-Thirds Intellect, One-Third Will-
What is "Range" of Consciousness ?-Not merely
Greater Knowledge but Finer Perception-A Flower
as viewed by a Botanist and a Poet-Feeling and
Thought in Business and in Poetry-On the Various
Kinds of Ability-Ribot on Imagination-Sir Francis
Galton on Eminent Men-Harmony of Consciousness
in the Greatest Geniuses-Secondary Genius and Loneli-
ness Apprehension v. Comprehension - Everything,
finally, is Unknowable-Some Arithmetical Contra-
dictions-Mysticism and Mathematics-Mallarmé on
the Mystery of Perception-Anatole France and the
Elusive Nature of Beauty-Professor James on
Socrates' Demand for Definitions-" Range" applied
to the Subconscious-Origin of the Subconscious—
Subconscious "Gifts "-A Boy Mathematical Prodigy
Educating the Subconscious Poincaré's Hy-
potheses Charlotte Brontë's Villette