Abstract
MR. HAMILTON FYFE sets out to destroy the generalizations about peoples-mainly the illusion of national character-which in past and current discussion obscure counsel. While some generalizations about large groups are possible, is it true that general statements about Englishmen, Frenchmen or Germans are valid, apart from affirmation of such externals as membership of a particular State, geographical habitat or language ? Is there over and above these such a thing as national character ? As will be gathered from his title, in the judgment of the author there is not. Even though he is prepared to concede certain differences due to surroundings, he would maintain that, beneath, these peoples are alike. On this it may be remarked that while this may be true of race in a biological sense and the so-called ‘racial theory’ a delusion, when it is not a fraud, national character stands in a different category. The cumulative effect of cultural continuity, viewed historically, cannot be ignored; any attempt to do so will be no less disastrous ‘than the exaggerated nationalism which has brought about the War.
The Illusion of National Character
By Hamilton Fyfe. Pp. v + 274. (London: Watts and Co., 1940.) 8s. 6d. net.
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The Illusion of National Character. Nature 145, 1004 (1940). https://doi.org/10.1038/1451004c0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/1451004c0