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This volume contains thirteen papers, all except two of which are frankly academic in form and substance. Of the two papers, one entitled 'Charakter als Ausdruck, ' by Rudolf Allers (Wien), purports to be a critical examination of the contributions to characterology by psycho-analysis and by individual psychology (Adler) respectively. A somewhat garbled account is given of psycho-analytical theory together with an inadequate review of analytical characterology. The author concludes that psycho-analysis is in a transitional phase and that even now the theories of individual psychology are more progressive. Adler's views are in his opinion more helpful in the study of character, but neither can contribute to real understanding of the individual however much they may to genetic understanding of his behaviour. The lodestar of characterology is to be found in the metaphysics of the individual.
The second paper is entitled 'Der triebhafte und der bewusste Mensch', and is by K. Schneider (Köln). His formulation of a grouping of 'impulsive' character types as contrasted with individuals exercising conscious control of impulse seems at first to promise some acquaintance with the dynamics of characterology. The promise is, however, soon broken. It is clear that he adopts the popular view of conscious control, has no conception of systems in the psyche, has never, it seems, heard of regression, and, almost certainly, never of repression. It is a helpless sort of contribution, but is mercifully short.