CHAPTER XVI 



CONSCIOUSNESS AS A VITAL FUNCTION 



Our judgments are themselves facts which have con- 

 sequences^ and their value depends on their consequences. 



— John Dewey 



TWO factors may be recognized in all nature: 

 (i) constancy and uniformity in the lawful 

 relationships of the elements of structure and 

 action; (2) progressive changes in the patterns in 

 which these elements are combined. The second fac- 

 tor appears in all cosmic evolution; and these pro- 

 gressive movements are also lawful. 



In organisms we have not merely the perpetua- 

 tion of specific patterns of structure and behavior 

 throughout metabolism, growth, and reproduction as 

 formulated in our laws of anatomy, physiology, em- 

 bryology, and heredity, but also progressive change 

 in these patterns — evolution. And let it not be for- 

 gotten that the highest biological patterns as well as 

 the lowest conform to these laws. 



If the discussion of the higher, that is, the more 

 complex, organic phenomena, including those involv- 

 ing conscious behavior, is to progress on the scientific 

 as contrasted with the metaphysical plane, it is essen- 

 tial that all of the phenomena under consideration be 

 shown to be interrelated as parts of a single natural 

 system. Any break in the chain of lawful or orderly 



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