On the principles and method of a practical science of mind : a reply to a criticism / by Thomas Laycock.

  • Thomas Laycock
Date:
1862
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the principles and method of a practical science of mind : a reply to a criticism / by Thomas Laycock. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    with the study of logic. Oxford and Cambridge have in fact intro- duced the modern natural sciences into the range of University studies, with this express object. I may, perhaps, be allowed to add further, that Dr. Bushnan has expressed an opinion adverse to my work in this respect, which is not confirmed by the judgment of other critics.* 5. Practical metaphysics defined.—Having thus confuted the two preliminary objections, 1 will now proceed to examine the main question, but let us in the first instance clearly determine what a practical mental science includes; as to this point, we can accept Dr. Bushnan^s definition, who observes— What are practical metaphysics? What but a knowledge of the ordinary faculties of the mind, of the general laws under which these faculties operate, and of the modifications which these laws are apt to undergo in individuals; what but a knowledge of the appe- tites, desires, benevolent and malevolent affections of our human nature, of self love, of moral judgment and obligation, and of the circumstances under which these are exalted, confirmed, or sub- verted. (p. 386). In accepting this definition, I must observe that I admit of no limitations. A knowledge of the ordinary facul- ties, includes with me a knowledge of the extraordinary, if there be any : because a true notion of a mental science rigorously demands this. By general laws, I mean all the general laws; and by modifications I mean every kind of modification. So also with a knowledge of the appetites, desires &c., and the circumstances which exalt, confirm, or subvert them—I allow of no exceptions as to particular states of consciousness, and the term circumstance somprise everything whatever which operates to modify. In short, the science must be complete in its scope. 6. The applications of some fundamental 2irinciples to method.—■ Such then being the true sphere of mental science, my first principle as stated in the introductory lecture to which Dr. Bushnan refers, but never quotes,t is, that the business of medical psychology con- sidered as a practical mental science is with living man, that is, as he exists on earth, and not as a disembodied soul, or as speaking, willing, or feeling, independently of organization. It is, I affirm, only in reference to the living man, that we can attain to the know- ledge and laws which Dr. Bushnan indicates as constituting practical metaphysics. Now this is a principle in a practical system of mental * Thus a gentleman who is well-known for his philosophical tone of thought, and who is as well versed in the philosophy of Plato, as any man living, observes Dr. Laycock has prefixed to his work a Dissertation on Method, \iix\ \m\\mon% and complete, which might stand as an admirable book of itself in a'treatise of general logic. (Review of Mind and Brain, in 'London Review,'July, 1860.) If need were, I could add other similar opinions. ' t The Scientific Place and Principles of Medical Psychology, < Edin. Med. Journal,' June, 1861.
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