Theory and practice.

Abstract

Two of my predecessors have discussed from this chair the application of psychological theory to practice.Upon the principal question considered by them, as you know, they did not agree.However, difference of opinion upon this point is less surprising than unanimity would be.For time out of mind there have been not simply many divergent opinions as to the relations of theory and practice, but several types of such opinions persisting side by side century after century in collision.In one case it is believed that there is a philosophy, which gives a finally valid account of all reality and which lays down the law for action in every field.In another case, it is not philosophy, but empirical sjcience which, as it develops, is to free us from all the rules of thumb by which our ancestors groped and fumbled their way, and which is to show us with certainty and on rational grounds exactly what to do in every field.In a third case it is not philosophy and not science, not systematic learning of any sort, but intuition, tact, common sense, which alone enable us to achieve success in any field.The mention of these typical opinions brings to mind at once many great names which could be cited for and against each of them.I have sometimes tried to make the historic conflict of

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