The Inferno (Henri Barbusse)
New Pathways in Psychology (Wilson)
Good stuff on Maslow, Jung, Freud, Adler, William James and how they relate to Wilson’s thought. Cites example of how Jung couldn’t cure a man’s post-retirement depression. Wilson (p.106) suggests the man needed a “bullying treatment” (a technique used by James to cure neurasthenic patients), namely, to be advised to do something hard and dangerous, such as climb a mountain. Even if he didn’t want to do it, Wilson believed he should, stating “the more he hates it the quicker he’ll be cured.” The effort, even with reluctance, will restore the vital energies. According to Wilson, Jung made the mistake of thinking the man needed to do something he enjoyed to restore the energy. Wilson is truly a Will psychologist. I’m reminded of his comment in the Outsider, “If you’re depressed, then un-depress yourself.” He has little patience for depth psychology or over-theorizing. Insofar as the Will involves action, he’s also behaviorist.
The Energies of Men (William James).
