Emergent evolution and the social / by William Morton Wheeler.

  • William Morton Wheeler
Date:
1927
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Emergent evolution and the social / by William Morton Wheeler. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    48/68 page 44
    in physiology, that analysis, which teaches us the properties of isolated elementary parts, can never give us more than a most incomplete ideal synthesis; just as knowing a solitary man would not bring us knowledge of all the institutions which result from man’s association, and which can reveal themselves only through social life. In a word, when we unite physiological elements, pro¬ perties appear which were imperceptible in the separate elements. We must therefore always proceed experimentally in vital synthesis, because quite character¬ istic phenomena may result from more and more complex union or association of organised elements. All this proves that these elements, though distinct and self-dependent, do not therefore play the part of simple associates; their union expresses more than addition of their separate properties. I am persuaded that the obstacles surrounding the experimental study of psychological phenomena are largely due to difficulties of this kind ; for despite their marvellous character and the delicacy of their
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