IX MIND AS AN ORGAN OF WHOLES 235 



an insignificant character, but which from now on begins 

 to assume a dominant position, and to give a new direction 

 and character to the pre-existing system of organic regula- 

 tion. Mind is not so much a direct continuation of the 

 holistic advance on the previous lines of life as a fresh 

 start, with a new factor pushed to the fore in the process, 

 and a new orientation given to the whole movement. It 

 marks the new stage of intensive individuation which 

 becomes Personality; and at the same time it marks the 

 new system of control which culminates in conscious rational 

 Purpose as a function of Personality. Mind underlies and 

 supports both these great closely related departures in the 

 process of Evolution. Having thus indicated the general 

 function and activity of Mind in the history of Evolution, 

 let us now proceed to look more closely at its nature and 

 character. 



Mind has its earliest beginnings in the inorganic structures 

 of Nature already. Disturbance of the equilibrium of 

 physical structures leads, as we have seen, to a state of 

 tension, and a tendency to compensation; and one phase 

 of this tension and compensating movement is seen in the 

 selective action which matter already exercises, and which, 

 as explained in Chapter VII, becomes far more accentuated 

 in the subsequent structures of life. This tension with its 

 selective compensation is without a doubt the original 

 stimulus and source of Mind as well as of life, but the 

 evolution of life proceeded far more rapidly, and completely 

 outstripped Mind in the race which followed. Mind as a 

 matter of fact needed the support of life for its full fruition, 

 and was therefore dependent on the prior development of 

 life. In the course of the subsequent developments this 

 tension underwent two radical changes which had far- 

 reaching effects, as they led directly to the evolution of 

 Mind. In the first place, the tension in the life-structures 

 or living bodies developed (in some unknown manner) an 

 additional intensity which took the form of a vague sense 

 of irritation or discomfort which began to accompany it. 

 In other words, the tension or strain in the living bodies 



