Section 10.
Phenomenology is in general the science of appearances. In
our usage it is the systematic co-ordination of those outer symptoms
occasioned by inner processes, and conversely, the inference
from the symptoms to them. Broadly construed, this may be taken
as the study of the habits and whole bearing of any individual.
But essentially only those external manifestations can be considered
that refer back to definite psychical conditions, so that our
phenomenology may be defined as the semiotic of normal psychology.
This science is legally of immense importance, but has not
yet assumed the task of showing how unquestionable inferences
may be drawn from an uncounted collection of outward appearances
to inner processes. In addition, observations are not numerous
enough, far from accurate enough, and psychological research not
advanced enough. What dangerous mistakes premature use of
such things may lead to is evident in the teaching of the Italian
positivistic school, which defines itself also as psychopathic semiotic.
But if our phenomenology can only attempt to approximate the
establishment of a science of symptoms, it may at least study critically
the customary popular inferences from such symptoms and
reduce exaggerated theories concerning the value of individual
symptoms to a point of explanation and proof. It might seem that
our present task is destructive, but it will be an achievement if
we can show the way to later development of this science, and to
have examined and set aside the useless material already to hand.
