O'SHEA — ASPECTS OF MENTAL ECONOMY. 41 



of our credence. Thus history may be considered to treat of 

 the utmost conceivable complexity of subjects which, in their 

 extremest analyzable form, are considered by neurology_ and 

 analytic psychology. But the principles of history are not on 

 this account to be regarded as less trustworthy than those of 

 neurology. Microscopic study, just because of its minuteness, 

 is not more reliable and trustworthy than macroscopic study; 

 you can describe as well (and it may be better) the conduct of a 

 horse as that of an amoeba. That it may be valid though, of 

 -course your description must be verifiable alike by experience 

 and by experimental research ad libitum; but so long as it stands 

 the test it must be accorded all the honors and privileges of sci- 

 entific knowledge. 



I know it is a hazardous thing to express an opinion upon 

 matters respecting which every one is an authority. And if 

 there is one matter more than another which needs no study 

 to comprehend, it is that which has to do with the regulation 

 of our daily lives. Here, common-sense, elsewhere so little 

 trusted, is esteemed a wise guide. It is one of the simplest 

 principles of psychology that we all tend to make our thoughts 

 •and actions standards by which to estimate their own value. 

 It is difficult for me to believe that the factors which have 

 produced me are beyond improvement ; what I do must be right. 

 Every one entertains Phantoms of the Cave when such familiar 

 things are under inspection; and this it is which makes it so 

 hard to convince people that they should ever modify their con- 

 duct. But it ought to require no argument to prove that the 

 self-standard in deportment is no standard at all. Because I 

 have been living in a certain manner and have survived is no 

 evidence that I could not have lived better by adopting a differ- 

 ent regime. 



A woman was recently discussing the subject of food, and 

 contended that modern scientific investigation was valueless if 

 not detrimental in promoting happiness in life. She had 

 brought up a family in violation of all the rules of hygiene re- 



