396 proceedings: anthropological society 



In this connection Dr. Swanton took occasion to criticise a certain 

 type of student who, because he observes the powerful effect of sub- 

 conscious imitation, assumes that there is an extra-mental current 

 which settles all problems, and looks cynically upon conscious efforts 

 to bring about change. When examined closely this seemingly un- 

 conscious current would be found to be a resultant of forces, each of 

 which was the decision of some individual or some group of individuals 

 at a definite time and place. He- believed that if any of these decisions 

 had been different the stream itself, the course of history, would in 

 some measure have been different. 



In the discussion which followed the address Dr. Leo J. Frachten- 

 berg agreed in main with the assertions made by the speaker. He 

 called attention to the fact that the error of particularization is well 

 exemplified in Westermarck's "Origin of Primitive Ethics." Dr. Fracht- 

 enberg expressed the belief that the principles of unconscious evolution 

 should not be underestimated. Dr. Truman Michelson added as 

 another misconception the supposition that the languages of primitive 

 peoples indicate a low mentality, stating that it is possible to express 

 complicated ideas by means of these languages but that the ordinary 

 life of the people does not require such expression. Another miscon- 

 ception, according to Dr. Michelson, is the arranging of languages 

 in a scale of superiority with inflectional languages as the highest point 

 of development. 



In closing the discussion Dr. Swanton stated that although it is true 

 that the unconscious element plays a very important part in the evo- 

 lution of culture, its functions are conservative or, at most, imitative, 

 with a tendency toward degeneration, whereas the conscious element 

 is that which creates, that which produces positive advances. 



Frances Densmore, Secretary. 



