"MAN, KNOW THYSELF"

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 128, 1 June 1935, Page 24

"MAN, KNOW THYSELF"

Mr. A. E. Mander, of Wellington, has just had published by Watts and Co., London, a handy little work on Psychology. It is handy because its format is convenient and what the writer has to say is expressed in concise, simple, and non-technical terms. Mr. Mander stresses the importance of one's knowledge by onself, because, as he shows, so much unhappiness is attributable to ignorance of what one really wants. "Civil wars," he states, "are raging within us, even though we may be personally unconscious of them." He insists that to understand human nature one must know its basic wants. Then he defines those wants as (1) almost continually active, and (2) those which are occasionally active. Those wants as the writer has listed them require satisfaction otherwise complete happiness is not to be attained. Mr. Mander particularly addresses parents on the great need for them to know their1 job in the right upbringing of children; but he also shows how important it is for young people to pass through an apprenticeship, as it were, by knowing themselves thoroughly before they undertake the craft of parenthood with all its responsibilities ,as well as its joys and privileges. It is in. the references made by Mr. Mander to the psychology of the chill that his little work will be found moat valuable by young parents—willing to learn—and all others who may have the care of children. There are observations and helpful suggestions on the formation of personal character. Here again, the remarks and observations of the author may be warmly commended to those having the charge and training of children, especially in the matter of habits, right and wrong. The book is the latest addition, No. 48, to the Thinker's Library.