From the Unconscious to the Conscious 



explained by subconscious ideoplasticity. Instinct would 

 direct the ideoplasticity in a given direction and the 

 effects would be fixed by selection and adaptation. 1 



The table below shows in a striking manner the 

 contrast between the new and the classical concepts. 



7HE PHYSIOLOGICAL CONCEPT OF THE INDIVIDUAL 



Summary. 



Classical Concepts. 

 The organism is a mere 

 cellular complex. The vital 

 dynamism is but the result- 

 ant synthesis of biologic 



sequence and physiological superior dynamism, 

 functions. 



New Concept. 



The organic complex, its 

 physiological functions, 

 and all the vital process, 

 conditioned by a 



are 



All these phenomena are 

 easily explicable by the 

 action of a superior dynam- 

 ism, generating, directing, 

 centralising, preserving, 

 and repairing the organ- 

 ism. The concrete notion 

 of this dynamism must be 

 substituted for the abstract 

 notion of a directive idea. 



Primordial vital fact: 



mysterious. 



Specific form : mysterious. 



Formation of the organism : 

 mysterious. 



Maintenance of the organ- 

 ism: vague and insuffi- 

 cient hypotheses. 



Repair of the organism: 

 vague and insufficient 

 hypotheses. 



Embryonic development : 

 mysterious. 



Post-embryonic develop- 

 ment : mysterious. 



Metamorphoses : 



mysterious. 



HJstolysis of the Insect: 

 mysterious. 



1 See, in this connection, Les Miracles de la Volonte, by E. Duchatel 

 and Warcollier. 



71 



