[68] For an elaborate and interesting discussion of this subject, see Tolstoi's _Physiology of War_. As showing the later trend of thought on this general theme, see the excellent summary by Professor Seligman, _The Economic Interpretation of History_. (Tr.) [69] William James, _The Will to Believe and other Essays_, pp. 218 ff.; Jastrow, _Psych. Rev._, May, 1898, p. 307; J. Royce, _ibid._, March, 1898; Baldwin, _Social and Ethical Interpretations_, etc. [70] Joly, _Psychologie des grands hommes_. [71] Osborn, _From the Greeks to Darwin_. [72] Such, according to Binet and Passy, seem to be the cases of the Goncourts, Pailleron, etc. See "Psychologie des auteurs dramatiques," in _L'annee psychologique_, I, 96. [73] Compare the striking instance of this moment as given by Froebel, in his _Autobiography_, in connection with his idea of the Kindergarten. (Tr.) [74] Quoted by Arreat, _Memoire et Imagination_, p. 118. (Paris, F. Alcan.) [75] Paulhan ("De l'invention," _Rev. Philos._, December, 1898, pp. 590 ff.) distinguishes three kinds of development in invention: (1) Spontaneous or reasoned--the directing idea persists to the end; (2) transformation, which comprises several contradictory evolutions succeeding and replacing one another in consequence of impressions and feelings; (3) deviation, which is a composite of the two preceding forms. [76] Cf. the well-known doctrine of Empedocles. (Tr.) [77] P. Souriau, _Theorie de l'invention_, pp. 6-7. CHAPTER V LAW OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE IMAGINATION Is imagination, so often called "a capricious faculty," subject to some law? The question thus asked is too simple, and we must make it more precise. As the direct cause of invention, great or small, the imagination acts without assignable determination; in this sense it is what is known as "spontaneity"--a vague term, which we have attempted to make clear. Its appearance is irreducible to any law; it results from the often fortuitous convergence of various factors previously studied. Leaving aside the moment of origin, does the inventive power, considered in its individual and specific development, seem to follow any law, or, if this term appear too ambitious, does it present, in the course of its evolution, any perceptible regularity? Observation separates out an empirical law; that is, extracts directly an abridged formula that is only a condensation of facts. We may enunciate it thus: The creative imagination in its complete development passes through two periods separated by a critical phase: a period of autonomy or efflorescence, a critical moment, a period of definitive constitution presenting several aspects.