MATCHMAKING BY SCIENCE.

Shannon News, 31 July 1923, Page 1

MATCHMAKING BY SCIENCE.

. Winox MINUS WILL HE HEAD. i.LRE AN OPEN BOOK. A tremendous enterprise is now being undertaken, writes a psychologist in “Lloyd's.” This is nothing; leis than an attempt ; to reduce human nature to an exact science so that “even the mind, of -woman’* will become an “open book.” In at least p,dozen laboratories in Europe and America psychologists are addressing themselves to the great work. Already they suggest that it may soon be possible for men and maidens to discover beforehand, by bj. mental* analysis, whether or not they are likely to make a suc"cess of their marriages.

It,would be a mistake to regard this as entirely frivolous, just as, perhaps, it might bo a mistake to fit-, tachi to it too serious an import. The study of mind has advanced enormously in recerit years, and the stud) of what are called “mental, aptitudes" is. now very nearly, if not quite, an exact science.

Let irie give an illustration. Suppose tliat 'it was desired to choose. I’an 1 ’an ideal school teacher, and suppose that a school teacher of surpassing' , excellence was available as a ’model. . The ‘ qualities of this “model’s" mind could now be analysed in, such a way. tjiat other minds /of the same temper' and ‘ activity coul d easily be elected from any group or applicant. . In other words, it is possible' to “match” minds just as we match the colours Arid texturbs of various fabrics. "Mliidt” in. thijS use of the word, iriclu'Seri character, temper and intellects

It is not impossible that a perfect wife might-be "matrihed” in the same fashion! by science. But if this were he fl rittenipteil'. r it, would clearly he necessary to liititch the husbgnd al: o. . Orir - new {t . psychologists have no liesMtion f whaiever in recommending this course; indeed, one of them has

recently declared that he digs already, made several happy marriages,.: ,a,nd been the means of preventing several qnhappy ones. In his opinion “incompatibility ot is as easy to diagnose as i heumatism. We may wish this enterprise—which has as. its motto, “Know , thyself”—well .without placing too much. faith'.in its ultimate success. Human nature is human nature, and science is science. The two have not so far, been •.'wedded in .any. lasting i. a L. a Foi, say what we will, precision Is a doleful quality, and prophecy—based on science—unattractive. Better the..adyentups.,qf■ li&tijtftji alj.jts., risks; of shipwreck; than this latest ■ volution of “Safety First."