This commission worked out a very absurd "new spelling" absolutely unsuitable for the Russian language, breaking all principles of grammar and contradicting all the laws of the natural development of the language. This "spelling" would never have been accepted if the Academy and the literary circles had had time to express their opinion on it, that is, if the revolution had not occurred just at that time. But having got into power the bolsheviks introduced this new "spelling." And under its influence the language at once began to deteriorate and to lose its strength and clarity.

If "phonetic" spelling were to be introduced into English speaking countries, the English language would very quickly disappear and twenty or thirty varieties of "pidgin-English" would take its place.

Another interesting example of the logical method as opposed to the psychological, one which is now almost generally accepted in several countries, is the co-education of boys and girls. Logically co-education seems to be quite right, but psychologically it is absolutely wrong, because by this system both boys and girls alike lose many of their characteristic features, particularly those which should be developed in them, and they both acquire other featues which they never should have. And besides, both of them learn to lie immeasurably more than they could learn even in the best of the old kind of schools.

Let us take other examples. What could be more logical than the Holy Inquisition with its tortures and burning of heretics; or bolshevism, which began by destroying schools, universities and technical institutes, in this way cutting off its own supply of trained specialists necessary for the new industrialisation which has been so much advertised? If this is not so then why do the bolsheviks need foreign engineers? In this respect Russia for a long time lived on its own resources.

And further, what can be more logical and, at the same time, more unsucessful than all possible prohibitions, like the American experiment in prohibiting alcoholic drinks? And what can be easier? Any fool, if he has the power in his hands, can find something to prohibit and in this way show his vigilance and his good intentions. All this is the result of the logical method.

The danger of the logical method in all possible spheres of life lies in the fact that at first glance it is the easiest and the most effective way.

The psychological method is much more difficult and, in addition, it is often very disappointing because, by following the psychological method a man often sees that he does not understand anything and does not know what to do. Whereas by following the logical method he always understands everything and always knows what to do.

1934

[Note: Elsewhere Ouspensky has remarked that the logical mind is excellent for learning the times tables, making lists, and reconciling one's bank account. However, he said, "For thinking it is ridiculous." /sw]

See also the "Fourth Way FAQ"
"Frequently Asked Questions."