RELATION OF MIND TO BODY 



We can now reach clear conclusions on 

 the much debated question as to the rela 

 tions between mind, organism, and matter. 

 Clearly this relation is not a spatial one, 

 capable of being stated in any sort of terms 

 of interaction. The relation is simply one 

 of different degrees of nearness to reality 

 in the manner in which phenomena are 

 described. 



We may attempt to regard a man as / 

 simply a coloured extended patch or form. 

 This is a very abstract or empty conception 

 of a man ; but for certain purposes it may 

 be legitimate for instance, if we are consider 

 ing how much space the man occupies, or 

 whether he will be visible against a certain 

 background. 



We can also attempt to regard him as 

 about seventy kilogrammes of material with a 

 certain external configuration, internal struc 

 ture, and movements : such material consist 

 ing of a great variety of chemical molecules, 

 acting upon one another and passing inwards 

 and outwards in various ways. This is a 

 much less abstract conception of the man, 

 and for many purposes is extremely useful, 



