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The subject is treated with special reference to factors which tend to interfere with judgement. The general attitude of the profession to the findings of psycho-analysis is chosen as an illustration: it is suggested that this attitude exemplifies the operation of certain of these tendencies in an unusual degree.
The reception accorded to psycho-analytic conceptions is considered, with illustrations drawn from specific instances, and extracts from Freud's History of the Psycho-Analytic Movement are given in amplification of these.
A comparison is then drawn between this reception and that conceded to Darwin's theory of evolution, with the object of showing that the opposition to the latter was almost, if not quite, as virulent as that encountered by psycho-analysis.
Reference is made to the opposition which new ideas normally meet with, and to the rôle played by affective factors generally in vitiating judgement.
Finally, attention is drawn to the danger of being satisfied with superficial explanations and of acting on inadequate knowledge.
The paper represents an attempt to direct notice to certain tendencies which, though they may be acknowledged, are apt to be forgotten or insufficiently appreciated.
Author's Abstract.