From the Unconscious to the Conscious 



This is obvious, and the time has come to draw the 

 logical inference from this aphorism. To do this it is 

 necessary to get rid of all abstractions, preconceived 

 ideas, and vain disputes over names. 



The question is very simple and admits of no 

 equivocal answer: Is the Self merely a synthesis of 

 elements, or is it not ? 



Is this synthesis the sum of the consciousness of 

 neurons closely and exclusively linked to the functioning 

 of the nervous centres, or is it not ? Yes, or No ? 



This is what we have to examine by the light of all 

 psychological facts. 



2. THE SELF AS A PRODUCT OF THE FUNCTION OF THE 



NERVE-CENTRES 



The classical concept is based on the old notion of 

 psycho-physiological parallelism, in support of which 

 the following arguments are adduced. 



The development of conscious intelligence accom- 

 panies the development of the organism, and its later 

 progressive diminution is parallel with senile decay. 



Psychological activity is proportional to the activity 

 of the nervous centres. 



Psychological activity disappears in the repose of 

 those centres in sleep or in syncope. 



Psychological activity implies the normal function 

 of the nervous centres; lesions of these centres, infection, 

 or serious intoxication affecting the brain, disturb, 

 restrain, or suppress psychic action altogether. 



This psychic action is closely conditioned by the 

 extent of the organic powers and is inseparable from 

 them. The materials which the intellect uses come from 

 the senses : * Nihil est in intellectu quod non prius fuerit 

 in semu? Therefore the range of the senses limits the 

 range of conscious intelligence. 



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