ABSTRACT
A man awake and a man in a deep sleep are both 'conscious beings', in the sense of animate beings. 'Conscious' and 'unconscious' in this sense, apply to the temporary conditions of animate beings and to nothing else. The plain fact is that we know nothing with certainty about the intrinsic nature of traces, and we ought therefore studiously to avoid all phrases which suggest some particular view of their intrinsic nature. The situation which Rivers is describing is a real and an important one; but the terminology which he uses to describe it is hopeless. The work of the psycho-analysts enables us to state one at least of the causes which tend to make certain experiences inaccessible. Introspective discrimination is a difficult, tiresome and unwonted process; and no one who is not used to it is likely to avoid mistakes.
