THE SELF-CONSCIOUS MIND 



A discussion of psychical matters in a treatise 

 on biochemistry may seem frivolous at first 

 glance, but when we consider what a close and in- 

 separable relationship there exists between mind 

 and living matter, and what a powerful governing 

 action the mind has over the body, then it would 

 seem to be not only pertinent, but in fact neces- 

 sary in a treatise of this character to give the 

 mental factor full consideration. 



The mind functions in three different ways. It 

 gives us sense perceptions, it forms the medium 

 for thought and memory, and it enables us to act 

 voluntarily through the exercise of our free will. 



There is no satisfactory evidence to show that 

 mind is a separate entit}^ capable of existing in- 

 dependently of living matter, or that it can reach 

 out and act beyond those molecular structures in 

 which it originates. It cannot be a substance 

 because it does not possess any of the properties 

 by which substances are recognized. Neither can 

 it be a vibration, or, in fact, any form of energy 

 because it will produce no effect upon even the 

 most delicate of physical instruments. 



Although many fantastic ideas prevail as to the 

 intrinsic nature of the mind, yet if we confine our- 



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