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The Elementary Nervous System by G. H. ParkerReview by: Helen Huss ParkhurstThe Journal of Philosophy, Psychology and Scientific Methods, Vol. 16, No. 26 (Dec. 18, 1919),pp. 719-720Published by: Journal of Philosophy, Inc.Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2940224 .

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PSYCHOLOGY AND SCIENTIFIC METHODS 719

setting of prices; at times it is the labor group through an Adamson law, or a threatened shutting off of the community from food or fuel. On the other hand, such laws as the Clayton and Federal Trade Commission acts, and such decisions as Hitchman Coal and Coke Co. vs. Mitchell, and the recent injunction in the coal strike, show a tendency to restrict the powers of both economic groups.

Which control is better? 'The merits of political and legal con- trol lie in the tendency toward general interests, toward equality and responsibility; its defects are its failures to deal constructively with new issues, to give a hearing to the important special interests of various groups, and to utilize for public welfare the many types of ability which majority elections do not select and which institu- tions that are prevailingly legal do not provide for. The merits of economic control are its greater flexibility and constructiveness, since it is unhampered by precedents or constitutions, its regard for vital interests of present life and for effective as well as formal freedom. Its defects are its devotion to special group interests, often to the ignoring of general interests, its imperfect sense of responsibility, and a somewhat one-sided emphasis upon liberty rather than justice.

REVIEWS AND ABSTRACTS OF LITERATURE

The Elementary Nervous System. G. H. PARKER. Philadelphia and London: J. B. Lippincott Company. 1919. Pp. 229. This book is one of a series of monographs on experimental biol-

ogy edited by Jacques Loeb, T. H. Morgan, and W. J. V. Osterhout. Its delimited field of investigation is the elementary nervous system as represented alike in lower multicellular animals and, locally, in vertebrate organisms. Professor Parker suggests the term neuro- muscular mechanism to designate the subject of his researches, since in his view effec,tors should be included along with receptors and ad- justors in any adequate conception of the nervous system in its wider meaning and relations. Indeed, in the matter of genesis his opin- ion is that muscle was developed antecedently to nervous tissue proper, and should be regarded as the original element in the evolv- ing meclhanism constituted, in its final phases, of cord, brain, and sense organs with all their intricate muscular, glandular and other connections. Accordingly, his study is divided into three parts in which he successively considers independent effectors, such as are found in sponges; the receptor-effector systems of celenterates; and las,tly, in brief conclusion, the relation of elementary receptor-effector complexes to the central nervous system of higher animals. The

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720 THE JOURNAL OF PHILOSOPHY

most interesting passages in the book are those concerned with the vestiges from lower forms still to be found in higher types of nervous system. Of such are independent effectors which, the author de- clares, will be found in increasing abundance as investigation con- tinues. Of such also are nerve nets which confer upon the organs possessing them a high degree of autonomy. The book, though it professes no affiliations with behaviorism or any other of the recent theories which stress the psychological significance of physiological activities, can not fail to interest in special degree those in sympathy with all efforts to determine the exact relations between the seat of consciousness and bodily expression.

HELEN IHuss PARKHURST. BARNARD COLLEGE.

JOURNALS AND NEW BOOKS

REVUE DE METAPHYSIQUE ET DE MORAL.E. May-Junie, 1919. La Question de la sincerite de Descartes (pp. 297-311): G. MILHAUD.-Reasons for believing in Descartes' sincerity, intended as an introduction to a book on Descartes. Sur une de'finition pos- sible des Ordinaux transfinis (pp. 313-334): A. REYMOND.-A defi- nition obtained by introducing the notions of simple powers com- pared by cardinaling. Sur la Composition du "Phe'dre" (pp. 335- 351): E. BOURGUET. - A defense of the structure of the Phedrus acainst criticisms by H. Raeder. La Doctrine de Ravaisson et la Pensee moderne (pp. 353-374): R. LENOIR..-Ravaisson escaped the influence of mathematical philosophy, critical philosophy, and biological science so could respond as a poet who felt a metaphysical emotion in the presence of the universe. Etudes critiques. Le Traite' de Logique de Goblot: J. NICOD. Discussions: A propos de l'Entropie: G. M\OURET. Enseignment. Sur la Methode d'enseig- nement des Mathe6matiques et des Sciences pour la formation du futur Maitre: E. RIGNALO. Questions pratiques. La "Force majeure et la Guerre": G. AILLET.

Ellwood, Charles A. The Social Problem: A Reconstructive Anal- ysis. (Revised edition.) New York: Macmillan Co. 1919. Pp. xii + 289. $1.75.

NOTES AND NEWS

A MEETING of the Aristotelian Society was held on November 3, with Professor James Ward, the president, in the chair. The presi- dent delivered the inaugural address of the session on "In the Be- ginning. .. "

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