The illusion of national character

The illusion of national character


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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.) 8_s_. 6_d_. net. Access through your institution Buy or subscribe This is a preview of


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CITE THIS ARTICLE The Illusion of National Character. _Nature_ 145, 1004 (1940). https://doi.org/10.1038/1451004c0 Download citation * Issue Date: 29 June 1940 * DOI:


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