SOCIAL 0E.I6IN OF PSYCHOLOGICAL PHENOMENA 225 



differentiation between the world of ego and the world of non-ego 

 to which the human species — for reasons which are not yet quite 

 clear — ^has alone attained. This active consciousness of a 

 differentiation has, as a result, the establishing of a constant 

 interaction between the two terms of ego and non-ego — inter- 

 action which is extremely fruitful in producing varied relations 

 between the different individuals. The psychological pheno- 

 menon originates in this mutual interaction of heterogeneous 

 mentalities ; consequently, it finds its origin in social life itself. 

 The vast host of sentiments, emotions, and desires which the 

 socialised human being possesses are the fruit of intercerebral 

 communication, of the opposition between numerous egos, or 

 centripetal mentalities, and non-egos, or centrifugal mentalities. 

 The psychophysical phenomenon we find manifested among 



chemical elements. ... I have shown the grave injury done up to the 

 present to the science of physics by the abuse of mathematical analysis. 

 But, in the case of physios, we were concerned only with the careless 

 handling of an instrument which, if it were judiciously employed, is capable 

 of rendering efficacious aid to physical research. On the contrary, it can 

 be safely affirmed that ... if the usage of mathematical analysis were to 

 become as general in chemistry as it is in physics, it would inevitably cause, 

 without any compensation whatever, an immense and rapid retrogression in 

 the field of chemical research, in that it would stibstitvie vague conceptions 

 for positive notions, and an easy algebraic verbiage for a laborious analysis 

 of facts " (Cours de Philosophie positive, vol. iii., p. 29). Some philosophers 

 who hope to solve the riddles of social life and evolution by a more or less 

 metaphysical synthesis, and without reference to facts, would do well to 

 ponder these words of Augusto Comte. 



With regard to the practical conclusion above referred to as resulting 

 from the theory of the hierarchy of sciences, Auguste Comte remarks, 

 also with reference to chemical phenomena : " If the immediate relations 

 of chemistry with mathematical science . . . are necessarily limited from 

 a doctrinal point of view, this is anything but the case with regard to the 

 ■method. From this new point of view it is easy to recognise, on the con- 

 trary, that sufficient intimacy with the spirit of mathematics and the 

 philosophy of astronomy would inevitably exercise the most salutary influ- 

 ence on the manner in which chemists conceive of, and cultivate, their 

 science ; and that it would, consequently, greatly accelerate the ulterior 

 progress of chemistry " (ibid., iii. 30). 



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