Page:American Anthropologist NS vol. 22.djvu/56

 44 AMERICAN ANTHROPOLOGIST [N. s., 22, 1920

fore, to the civilizational contribution of the "great man" and even to that of the "contact of peoples," although the author ascribes not a little significance to this latter factor. We read :

For more than one reason, indeed, no "genius" can make any great departure from the idea-system of his people; the individual may influence the group, but such modifications as he may succeed in introducing will proceed along established lines, and cannot be regarded as significant "changes" (p. 143).

This careless and unjust statement scarcely requires serious re- futation. Again, with reference to the changes induced by the spread of cultural features, through the "contact of peoples," but unaccompanied by invasion en masse and conflict in loco, the author writes :

The reason [for the inability of these factors to further "advance"] is not far to seek, for while the contact process may tend theoretically, to bring all groups to the level of the highest, it cannot serve to place any one group far in advance of the rest (p. 146).

While a book might, perhaps, be needed to disprove this assertion, it is worth pointing out that the principle of creative synthesis, so brilliantly formulated by Wundt, stands in direct opposition to the author's allegation. The setting free of reserve energies, the release of powers clogged up by traditional rut, under the provocation of apparently inconspicuous events introduced through foreign con- tact or inner changes, these well known and often described psycho- sociological phenomena guarantee the almost unlimited possibilities of the production of much from little in matters cultural. James's admirable remarks, quoted by the author with undisguised apprecia- tion, bear directly on the issue at hand.

In conclusion I want to quote two statements which give a succinct summary of the author's position. Writes Dr. Teggarr:

What we find actually throughout the course of history are the unmistakable results of constant processes manifested in fixity or persistence, tempered by other processes which gradually effect a modification of this rigidity. In addition to these two sets of processes, however, there is abundant evidence of the fact that at different times and in different places certain events have led to significant changes in the groups affected, and that these changes stand in direct relation to the phenomenon of "advance" (p. 148).

And again:

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