The gradual admission of this organic criterion of 'total relevance' has come about in all fields of discussion in this century. It is equally the basis of anthropological study of cultures and of critical method in literature. The so-called 'new criticism' is, in the main, a recognition of the validity of the' total relevance' attitude to all forms of speech and composition. But it was for many centuries the basis of the doctrine of 'decorum' in behaviour and educated expression alike.