Chapter Vii 187

THE BIOLOGICAL SUBSTRATE OF THE NEUROTIC CONFLICT IN ITS ORGANIC SIGNIFICANCE

Two types of reaction: the autocentric who withdraws in toto and has completely negative attitude toward his congeners, and the allocentric who makes effort at social compromise or adaptation (“sublimation”)--Both reactions equally self-centered: autocentric (precoid, psychasthenic) showing adaptation through individual dream; allocentric (hysteric, hypomanic) through social dream--Biological substrate of these reactions lies in lack of balance between cerebro-spinal and sympathetic systems--In the preconscious form preserved among animals no break between the two systems; there is maintained rhythmic and harmonious co-ordination of response--Period of Greek thought essentially allocentric; Christianity essentially autocentric.