Addendum on Psychology in 1936

Abstract

Prefatory noteIn 2001 this periodical published, under the title ‘The State of Psychology in 1936’, a memorandum on psychology written by Isaiah Berlin.1In 1936 Berlin was a Fellow of All Souls College, which was considering whether to elect a psychologist for the first time in its history, and the memorandum was written in order to assist the College in making its decision. The 2001 text was taken from a manuscript draft in Berlin’s papers, since the final version was presumed lost. However, a clutch of papers has now surfaced in the course of archival cataloguing at All Souls that includes not only the final printed text, but also two previously unknown contemporary letters from Berlin to the Warden of the College (W.S.G. Adams), as well as other related documents.The text of the memorandum turns out to have been considerably changed and enlarged after the published draft was written. Space prevents complete publication of the final version here, but the main portion is reproduced below. The omitted portions are mainly of more local interest, and can be read as part of the complete text available in the Isaiah Berlin Virtual Library athttp://berlin.wolf.ox.ac.uk/published_works/singles/bib250brevised.pdf. The two new letters are also included there, but since one of them contains interesting observations about Berlin’s informants, and also about a recent book published by Erwin W. Straus, I include most of it after this introductory note.There were meetings of a Psychology Subcommittee (including Berlin) on 11 October and 29 November 1936,2but the proposed appointment was not made.Thanks are due to Norma Aubertin-Potter and Gaye Morgan at All Souls for drawing my attention to the new material, photographing it, and securing permission to reproduce it here; and to Fraser Watts for his help in preparing the present publication.Henry HardyHenry Hardy, Wolfson College, Oxfordhenry.hardy@wolfson.ox.ac.uk