From the Unconscious to the Conscious 



certain pathological conditions, such as minor epilepsy, 

 elementary symptoms of hysteria, hypnosis, somnam- 

 bulism, and mediumship. 



The psychological automatism in these cases was 

 beyond doubt, and to generalise from these data, extend- 

 ing automatism to the whole area of subconsciousness, 

 was but one step. It was soon taken. 



But when, leaving the lower and commonplace 

 order of phenomena, higher subconscious manifestations 

 had to be examined, insurmountable difficulties arose. 



The physiological automatism with which psychic 

 automatism was compared, is of two kinds innate and 

 acquired. 



Innate automatism is shown by the activity of the 

 main organic functions such as circulation of the blood, 

 or digestion. This is the same from birth to death, if 

 not quantitatively at least qualitatively. It always 

 remains within the limits proper to these functions and 

 initiates nothing new. Besides the fact that this auto- 

 matic dynamism is, as we have seen, unexplained, it 

 is clear that it cannot help us to understand a subconscious 

 psychism that innovates and creates. 



Acquired automatism is the result of complicated 

 interactions, certain modes of activity, needing at first 

 attention and continued exercise of the will, come by 

 habit to be performed without continuous attention, 

 and with a minimum of effort. 



This acquired automatism also remains within the 

 limits prescribed by habit, and does not go beyond 

 them. But the higher subconscious manifestations are 

 usually sporadic, and in no case do they resemble habits. 



This is obvious in the case of supernormal manifesta- 

 tions; these can never become customary. Even for 

 the less mysterious phenomena, automatism is no 

 explanation. 



Multiple personalities brought to light in certain 

 individuals show spontaneity and self-directing will. 



103 



