302 MENTAL FACULTIES. 



There is no subject, which has given occasion to so much excitement 

 and controversy, as that of the connexion of the mental faculties with 

 the encephalon. " It has unfortunately happened," says Dr. Bostoek, 1 

 " that this subject, which is one of great interest and curiosity, has sel- 

 dom been viewed with that philosophical spirit which should always 

 direct our investigations, and by which alone we can expect to arrive 

 at truth. It is admitted, that certain errors may be so interwoven with 

 our accustomed associations, on topics connected with morals and reli- 

 gion, as to render it doubtful, on some occasions, how far we ought to 

 attempt their removal ; but if this concession be made on the one hand, 

 it is incumbent upon us, on the other, not to inflame the prejudices, 

 which may exist on these topics, but to use our endeavours to correct 

 all undue excitement, and thus to bring the mind into that tranquil 

 state, which may enable it to receive truth without fear of injury." In 

 such a spirit ought every discussion on the subject to be conducted ; and 

 in such a spirit will the few remarks that follow be offered. 



The chief opinions, which have been indulged on the subject are, 

 1st. That all the mental phenomena are immaterial, and the exclusive 

 product of the mind. 2dly. That the sentient principle within us re- 

 quires the intervention of an organ, through which it acts ; in other 

 words, that mind is a principle superadded to organization ; and 3dly. 

 That where there is no organization there is no perception : that wher- 

 ever an organized structure, like the brain, exists, perception exists ; 

 that where the organization is imperfect, perception is . imperfect ; 

 where the organization is sound and vigorous, perception is clear 

 and vigorous ; where it is impaired, perception is impaired ; and that 

 when organization ceases perception ceases also. This last view is ma- 

 terialism. It supposes, that a certain condition of matter is capable of 

 thinking, reasoning, and understanding. 



The doctrine, that our intellectual and moral acts are superadded 

 to organization, and that there is an organ concerned in their mani- 

 festation, is the one embraced by the generality of physiologists, and 

 is most consistent with reason and analogy: it is but justice, how- 

 ever, to admit, that the views of those, who consider that a certain 

 organization produces thought, are not deserving of the anathemas 

 that have been directed against them on the score of irreligion. The 

 charge would rather apply to those who doubt the power of Omnipo- 

 tence to endow matter with such attributes. Were the mental and 

 moral phenomena the exclusive products of the immaterial principle 

 within us, they would hardly form subjects for physiological inquiry. 

 That they are allied to organization is inferred for the following rea- 

 sons. As they constitute so many functions, were they not provided 

 with an organ or organs, they would form so many exceptions ; each 

 of the sensations requiring an organ for its accomplishment. Again, 

 our inward feeling induces us to refer them to a particular part of the 

 frame : whilst thought appears to be effected within the head, the chief 

 expressions of the passions are felt in the region of the heart or stomach. 

 The faculties, moreover, are not the same in every individual. One 



1 Physiology, 3d edit., p. 744, Lond., 1836. 



