This book is part of the Atkinson’s series “The New Psychology.
“There is no form of mental activity so universal in its visible manifestations as that which we call the Will. And, likewise, there is none so generally misunderstood and so little understood as the Will.
When we come to consider the nature of the Will we find ourselves confronting a score of definitions, theories and beliefs. In fact, it almost may be said that to each and every individual the word “Will” has a different meaning, or a different shade of meaning.
Ask yourself what you mean when you say “the Will;” then ask a few of your friends and associates, and see how widely varying are the answers and definitions.
While we shall ever try to avoid philosophical hair splitting, in this series of books on The New Psychology, nevertheless we find from time to time that we must come to some sort of clear understanding with our readers regarding the meaning of certain terms; and in order to do so we must analyze those terms and consider the views of the best authorities regarding them. And this course is especially needed in the case of the term before us—The Will. “
“There is no form of mental activity so universal in its visible manifestations as that which we call the Will. And, likewise, there is none so generally misunderstood and so little understood as the Will.
When we come to consider the nature of the Will we find ourselves confronting a score of definitions, theories and beliefs. In fact, it almost may be said that to each and every individual the word “Will” has a different meaning, or a different shade of meaning.
Ask yourself what you mean when you say “the Will;” then ask a few of your friends and associates, and see how widely varying are the answers and definitions.
While we shall ever try to avoid philosophical hair splitting, in this series of books on The New Psychology, nevertheless we find from time to time that we must come to some sort of clear understanding with our readers regarding the meaning of certain terms; and in order to do so we must analyze those terms and consider the views of the best authorities regarding them. And this course is especially needed in the case of the term before us—The Will. “
