BOOKS OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 4, 29 September 1917, Page 11

BOOKS OF THE DAY

"Professionalism and Originality." . "Professionalism and Originality," by P. H. Hayward, D.Litt, JJ.Sc. iGeorge Allen and Unwin, Ltd.), is a strikingly original and thought-provoking book, 'i'lie general object of the author is "to ascertain and tabulate -the signs of a stigmata of the conventional ('professional') man and the contrasted stigmata of the creative ('original') man." Br. Hayward's arguments are likely to provoke the keenest controversy, especially amongst medical men, tho legal fraternity, and educationists. Tho author does not mince his words in dealing with what ho deems to be medical and legal abuses, as he does in support of his general theory that tho value of so-called "professional" and "expert" opinions is vastly and mischievously overrated, and certain of his statements will probably arouso some equally frank criticism. Dr. If ay ward quotes freely from -. contemporary events and literature-. Mr. Bernard Shaw's" "Sanity of Art" is frequently alluded to, but Mr. Shaw-himself, so. it may seem to many of I us, is a "professional"—a "professional" rebel, and as BUC.D, too, a "professional" poseur—and those who know his writings best and have como to, understand tho Shaw pose, will 1)0 pardoned if they are more amused at the ingenuous enthusiasm of his latest disciple, thaii impressed with the value of Mr. Shaw's opinions. Another work upon which Di:. Hay ward, appears to place main reliance, especially for information as to the medical profession, ks Dr. Barnesby's "Medical ■ Chaos and Crime," a work I should 'say of American origin, and certainly not lucking in «.•«- sationalsim. Mr. Durrani's "The Lawyer: Our Old Man of the Sea," is also largely drawn upon for instances of alleged judicial and legal stupidity, blundering, and absolute wrong-doing. . According to Dr. Hayward, everything is wrong with tho world just now-mute apart from war problems—but 1 that howill induce many peoplo to agree witn him in. his wholesale denunciation M professional men, as such, either as doctors, -lawyers,- or educationists, .is very doubtful. It ma * ha ( l ulte true ■• itiW original thinkers, inventors, projectors Of theories.which hayo'resulted when put into practice of great benefit to the world, have been harshly ~nd unjustly treated by .the "profesionals and experts," and have had to wait .long years before - their, genius received just recognition. 'But' after. all is said and done, '■" experience ana precedent .must count for something, and although mistakes ' may .be -™"le *™. .valuable-" discoveries be sometimes belittled' and their autnors treated with contempt and injustice, the world, is hardlyVbe blamed if.it of accepting every projector of a now heoiy nrincinle. or nostrum at his own Son.' 'Dr.- Hayward sure* tries; to prove too much. -tie Ss unmeasured scorn and contempt. S "professionalism," but in how many instances is. not the/'professional but a development of the "original, or living man," whose "flashes of genius tho.author so warmly -belauds. - Dr.- .Hayward intoksted in eduftional problems, upon which ho.has already written. s'tnan one book, and in cer of his'suggestions exhibits a breadth and liberalftfof thought ,'whicli does lnni hi fhi^loseswithan"Appendi S of Sus'es'tions" bearing on professional, atlmin&ve,: an«l educational tomes Some of., these.. "suggestions aio. _ot a decidedly original character. ■ £01 instance, the author advocates.the estobllsbment of "national, .local, and proressional suggestion books, « to ho made accessible to every individual in tho State; (a) for tho receipt of sugges«onr: and for'consultation. Penalties to bo imposed for frivolous or vesat.go.. »» of the books. An abridgment of ttwW he annually sold for a--penny, and tho Pres? tobc free to Quote at any time. Thl nronosal may bo further. developed i^he P X°cc a tion m oJ ««» lc|W.«w fivp' nf certain Western Stateb—a. im.»iu. incomparable -more important than votes, elections, or refcreDdums. Comment upon such a proposal is surely needless, but it is a pity the doctor did not givo us soino estimate as 10 tho probable number of pages these bug•eestiod Books would contain, and of ,tiie cost of printing in the new and radically reformed world of. which ho dreams. Amateur authors, artists, and political "pioneers" would never' go unrecognised had the doctor his way. l'or in s anxiety to get rid of "coiujnercja exploitation," to bring to light the budding .Wells, or Shaw, ° l ;Syd«eyß r ebb--■thrlo specially shining lights oHEc author's iirmament-he would fain have Any manuscript not exceeding 10,000 words in' length printed at the T.ubhc coot provide! any five persons occupying •respon- • Sbta public .positions or taww s.on o a certain recognised intellectual status as Persons of Merit, affix therV names to H as a document worthy of atten ion. To larger' M.S.B. a greater number of backers to be necessary; Jot very .short Proposals the Suggestion Book would -ufflceHb) the Board if.Onltare toMM and report, upon such MbS., ana mo cffiicals who approve or disappiwo of publication to. affix their names to their recommendations. But would not these' /'Persons of Merit," these members of "lhe Board of Culture," be, to all, intents and purposes, of that very "professional or expert class" whoso . alleged ineptitudes, follies, blunders, and positive crimes are so mercilessly scourged by Dr. Hayward in the first section of his book? I should like, to quote from the author's suggestions as to tree theatre seats, the management of newspapers the "religious difficulty -in schools, ana other questions, but space will not permit. There is much in tho'book to which serious objection may be taken; the author's tone savours too much ot that of the egotistical pedagogue and superior person to' be altogether agreeable; and in his charges against medical men and tho legal profession he is unfairly sweeping. Nevertheless, his earnestness and sincerity are a good set-off to the unduly aggressive tone o± M& arguand there is much in the book which should be productive of practically useful discussion. (N:Z.'price, ib. W.)