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1745 Pioneering Psychology Work “Know Thyself” RARE 1st
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1745 Pioneering Psychology Work “Know Thyself” RARE 1st
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1745 Pioneering Psychology Work: “Know Thyself” RARE 1st
Self-knowledge = Self-control, happiness / Philosophy The title page to this work reads, “Self-Knowledge. A Treatise, shewing the Nature and Benefit of that Important Science, and the Way to attain it. Intermixed with various Reflections and Observations on Human Nature. By John Mason, A.M. … The proper Knowledge of Mankind is Man. Pope. London: Printed and Sold by J. Waugh, at the Turk’s-Head in Gracechurch-Street. MDCCXLV.” John Mason (1706-1763), an English Nonconformist minister and philosopher, wrote what was likely the most reprinted psychology book in the 18th and 19th centuries in England (and America). It was enormously popular, preaching the dictum of Alexander Pope, “The proper knowledge of mankind is man.” Mason’s thesis is that the better we know ourselves—weaknesses, strengths, abilities, preferences, philosophy of life, secret prejudices, hidden thoughts—the more able we will be to make good choices for our life and actions. He is very frank, addressing our human shortcomings and foibles with practical, head-on commentary. Some examples: It is no uncommon Thing for some who excel in one Thing, to imagine they may excel in every Thing. And not content with that Share of Merit which every one allows them, are still catching at that which doth not belong to them. Why should a good Orator affect to be a Poet? Why must a celebrated Divine set up for a Politician? Or a Statesman affect the Philosopher? Or a Mechanick, the Scholar? Or a wise Man labour to be thought a Wit? This is a Weakness that flows from Self-Ignorance, and is incident to the greatest Men. Nature seldom forms a universal Genius; but deals out her Favours in the present State with a parcimonious Hand.—Many a Man by this Foible hath weakened a well-established Reputation…. The right Government of the Thoughts requires no small Art, Vigilance, and Resolution. But it is a Matter of such vast Importance to the Peace and Improvement of the Mind, that it is worth while to be at some Pains about it. A Man that hath so numerous and turbulent a Family to govern as his own Thoughts, which are so apt to be under the Influence and Command of his Passions and Appetites, ought not to be long from Home. If he is, they will soon grow mutinous and disorderly under the Conduct of those two headstrong Guides, and raise great Clamours and Disturbances, and sometimes on the slightest Occasions. And a more dreadful Scene of Misery can hardly be imagined, than that which is occasioned by such a Tumult and Uproar within; when a raging Conscience or inflamed Passions are let loose without Check or Controul. A City in Flames, or the Mutiny of a drunken Crew aboard, who have murdered the Captain, and are butchering one another, are but faint Emblems of it…. [ The author goes on to give practical suggestions for dealing with thoughts that are linked to discontent, anxiety, anger, revenge, unhealthy fantasy, trifling silliness, impurity, melancholy, and the like.] We must consider what is the ultimate Scope we drive at; the general Maxims and Principles we live by; or whether we have not yet determined our End, and are governed by no fixed Principles; or by such as we are ashamed to own…. T is not perhaps a more unaccountable Weakness in Human Nature than this, that with regard to religious Matters, our Animosities are generally greatest w our Differences are least: They who come pretty near to our Standard, but stop short t, are more the Objects of our Disgust and Censure, than they who continue at the greatest Distance from it. And it requires the greatest Knowledge and Command of our Temper to get over this Weakness. To whatever secret Spring in the Human Mind it may be owing, I shall not stay to enquire; but the Thing itself is too obvious not to be taken Notice of…. T is no small Art in improving a weak Memory…. If it be weak do not overlade it. Charge it only with the most useful and solid Notions. A small Vessel should not be stuf... 
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