Frederick Matthias Alexander and John Dewey, a neglected influence

544 Pages·2009·14.63 MB·English

FREDERICK MATTHIAS iiLEXANDER AND J
A NEGLECTED; INFLUENCE
by
EKIC DAVID McC'>RMACK
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FREDERICK MATTHIAS ALEXAWDER AND JOHN DEWET
A NEGLECTED INFLUENCE
by
ERIC DAVID McCORKACJi
A Thesis submitted in eonfonnitj
vdth the requirements for the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
in the
University of Toronto
1958
G?G5HZ
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES
PROGRAMME OF THE FINAL ORAL EXAMINATION
FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
of
ERIC DAVID MCCORMACK
3:30 p.m., Friday, October 31, 1958
at44 Hoskin Avenue
FREDERICK MATTHIAS ALEXANDER AND JOHN DEWEY
A NEGLECTED INFLUENCE
COMMITTEE IN CHARGE
Professor B. Wilkinson, Chairman
Professor F. H. Anderson
Professor T. A. Goudge
Professor M. Long
Professor J. C. Wey
Professor J. A. Irving
Professor J. M. Kelly
Professor W. Line
Professor L. E. Lynch
Professor A. A. Maurer
Professor C. E. Phillips
Professor D. Savan

BIOGRAPHICAL
1911 -Born, Jamaica, New York City, U.S.A.
1934 -A.B., St. Vincent College, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
1936 -A.M., St. VincentCollege, Pennsylvania, U.S A.
1943 -L.M.S., Pontifical Institute of MediaevalStudies,
Toronto
1948 -M .A. University of Toronto
1940-45; 1957-58 -School,of Graduate Studies, University of Toronto
1945-- -Assistant Professor of Philosophy, St. Vincent
College.
THESIS
FREDERICK MATTHIAS ALEXANDER AND JOHN DEWEY:
A NEGLECTED INFLUENCE
(Abstract)
In his eightieth year John Dewey said that he owed the concrete
form of certain of his ideas to contact with the work of F. M. Alexander
astnrdachtilsy,brwotehreer,hisA."tRhe.o"rAileesxaonfdemrin.d-Tbhoedsye,iodfeatsh,e pcoroervdiionuastliyonheolfdtahbe-
elements of the self and of the place of ideas in inhibition and control of
overt action." Since only two of his books. Human Natureand Conduct
(1922) and Experience and Nature (1925), nnention F. M. Alexander's
name, and then only in footnotes, this thesis proposes to investigate the
nature and effectof Dewey's contact with the Alexanders and their work.
Other references to Alexander in Dewey's published writings have been
sought, and inquiry made into his association with the Alexanders. The
first chapter of the thesis outlines the problem and the method of proce-
dure followed.
The second chapter gives a brief account of the life and writings,
of F. M. Alexander, and of the general features of his doctrine. Born
in Tasmania in 1869, he taught and practiced elocution in Melbourne and
Sydney, Australia. A throat difficulty which resisted medical treatment
led him to seek its causes for himself. This search led him to a
physiological discovery upon which his subsequent theory and practice
were erected. On the recommendation of doctors, he went to London in
1904, where his ideas won him significantattention from theatrical
people and some prominent physicians. His first book, Man's Supreme
bIenheenrictoannfciene,dwatossppuobrlaidsihcedneiwns1p9a1p0e.r aBretfiocrleesthainsdtpiammephhilsetwsriotfinagchoandtrovers-
ial nature. In 1914 or 1915 he came to the UnitedStates, began teaching
his technique, and published a second edition of his book which was
introduced by John Dewey. Three other books followed, in 1923, 1932,
and 1941, respectively, to two of which Dewey also wrote introductions.
Alexander returned to England in 1943, and remained there until his
death in 1955. A. R. Alexander, whose role was simply that of a
practical teacher of the method, came to America in 1935 and returned
to England in 1945, the year in which he died.
Alexander's technique is built on the physiological premise that
the integrated activity and consequentwell-being of the psycho-physical
organism depends upon the maintaining of a certain functional relationship
between the parts of the organism. This relationship, which is his
"discovery", he first called the "position of mechanical advantage,"
and later the "primary control of use." It consists basically in a head-
neck-torso coordination which insures correct "use of the self."
The physiological aspect of Alexander's method was later connected by
his medical patrons with the work of the Dutch physiologist, Rudolph
Magnus, and still later with thatof the American biologist, George E.
Coghill, who introducedAlexander's lastbook. The Universal Constant
in Living (1946).
Although Alexander maintained that the practice of his technique
constitutes a preventive of mostor all diseases, he drew conclusions which
extend far beyond the physical level. He held that his discovery proved
that mind and body were not separate entities, that his method promoted
moral progress, and that its universal application, especially to the
education of the young, was the prerequisite for the survival of civilization
and for further evolutionary progress.
Specific points of his doctrine are that present conditions of
civilized life have rendered man's instincts and sensory equipment
conoenitally unreliable, largely through incorrect postural habits which
these conditions have imposed. These rigid habits have notonly sub-
stituted conflict and tension for coordination in man's actions, but have
impaired his judgment at all levels, intellectual and moral as well as
sensory. Since the operation of these habits is automatic and "below
the plane of consciousness," they cannot be altered by direct voluntary
acts. This is because suchacts and the judgments from which they
issue are framed in the false terms of the very habits whichare to be
remedied. The only way out of this vicious circle is to inhibitall habitual
activity and at the same time set about reinstating the "primary control"
at the basic, physiological level. One must concentrate noton the end
to be gained in executing a given act, but, in Alexander's terminology,
on the "means-whereby." Once the "primary control" is established,
it becomes the mostbasic of all habits, the framework within which
all other habits are formed, and according to which all acts are performed.
It is the fundamental, integrating principle of action and thought, and the
ultimate governing factor of all "means-whereby", and of the conscious
control of man's actions. The present stage of evolutionary development
requires that his actions be broughtat least indirectly under conscious
control, since instincts which were reliable in former, less complex
situations are now no longer adequate, and are even perverted. The
"debauched sensory appreciation" of modern civilized man is proof of
this.
Dewey encountered F. M. Alexander and his teachings at a
moment in his life whichwas critical both personally and doctrinally.
In Alexander's terms, he was badly coordinated physically, and he had
undergone a personal crisis in connection with his views on World War I.
Doctrinally he was ata turning point in his philosophical development.
The newer physiological psychologies, especially the behavioristmove-
ment initiated by John B. Watson, the new social psychology, and the
ethical issues connected with and following upon World War I were among
the influences which caused Dewey to re-think his philosophical position
at this time. This turning point, which has been noted by Ratner and
Allport, the thesis places between the years 1915 and 1919, the period
of Dewey's firstmeeting and early association with F. M. Alexander.
This background material occupies the third chapter.
The fourth chapter compares some of the essential doctrines of