Chauvinism old and New

REVIEWS 443 cisms, Peirce's discussion of scientific method, James's use of evolution in· his Principles of Psychology) Green's analysis of causality in relation to th·e law, Holmes's functional interpretation of the courts-these are the typical examples of the pragmatic temper. In a concluding chapter, Professor Wiener sums up the philosophical legacy of the founders of pragmatism. He holds that five aspects of their work were particularly important. They fostered an empirical respect for the manifoldness of existence, and emphasized the need for a plurality of concepts in tackling the diverse problems of mankind. They gave new meaning to the idea of temporal change or becoming. They encouraged the view that human knowledge is not absolute, but relative to the categories and standards achieved by humanity in its long evolutionary struggle. They stressed the ineluctable contingency of the natural world, a contingency which makes all knowledge probable and subject to revision in the future. Finally, the early pragmatists espoused a liberalism whose basis was the democratic freedom of the individual inquirer. Freedom from irresponsible authority, either of a political or of an ecclesiastical sort~ they regarded as _an indispensable condition of scientific progress and civilized social life. Professor Wienel''s book is a notable and scholarly contribution to the history of ideas in America. It contains not only much new material on the persons discussed, b':lt also many fresh insights into the significance of their work. The chapters dealing with __~. Wright and Green are especially useful because they disclose the proper stature of these neglected minds. One may hope that the book will finally dispose of the fable, popular in European circles, that the American pragmatists were mainly concerned to justify the ways of "big business" and "rugged individualism." For·whatever one may think of the pragmatic philosophy, one cannot deny that the group Professor Wiener has portrayed was distinguished for its intellectual cultivation, its high-mindedness, and its unswerving devotion to truth. CHAUVINISM OLD AND NEW* KARL F. HELLEINER This is a brief account, written in a popular vein, of Poland's political history, economic conditions, folkvJays, arts, and letters. Books of this kind serve a useful purpose, provided the author takes great care to present controversial matters in a strictly *"Poland Old and New. By WILLIAM JoHN RosE. L