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In this book the author attempts to establish a rational ethical theory of human culture, using his vast knowledge of both Eastern and Western habits, and postulating rational approaches to future ethics.
His early statement that the psycho-analytic concept of the superego in the individual is too narrow and leaves out too much man's conscious ability to manipulate his unconscious and his use of rationality indicate clearly to the psycho-analytically orientated what to expect; and indeed what the book amounts to is an excellent account of how inter-group anxieties can be handled and behaviour become more controllable. The analyst, however, interested as he is in sociological problems, will feel dissatisfied with the building of hopes for improvement in future inter-group relationships when such hopes are based on so-called rational approaches. In his day-to-day contacts with, for example, the intellectual obsessional he unfortunately knows too well that what is known to be reasonable, and what it is obvious should be done, can nevertheless often not be done, owing to deep unconscious conflicts expressing themselves in contrary fashion.
No, for groups as well as for the individual, what is to be aimed at is an equilibrium where anxieties are resolved and understood, so that behaviour can be determined without unconscious distortion of reality—without recourse to high-sounding plausible rational systematizations which unfortunately are nearly always only poor compromises and reassurances against persistent unconscious anxiety-ridden conflicts.