AND ITS SELF-CONSERVATION. 15 



way in which it reduces energy, a universal mode of exist- 

 ence, to one of its particular phases. 'But the proposi- 

 tion, " Every event must take place in time," is seen upon 

 reflection to be necessarily implied in every single instance 

 of the perception of an event. For it would contradict 

 reason itself to say that an event can take place apart 

 from the conditions of time. 



It may be noted finally, that, while internal or subject- 

 ive transitions as such may occur within the limitations 

 of time alone, no external or physical change can take 

 place otherwise than as conditioned by both time and 

 space. 



6. SENSE-PERCEPTION FURTHER IMPLIES CONCEPTION. 



We have seen that space and time are the universal 

 and necessary modes of all perception. And yet, on fur- 

 ther examination, perception is found to involve as one of 

 its essential factors a mode of mind extending beyond the 

 limits of perception, as such. It has already been inti- 

 mated that every phase of mental activity necessarily pre- 

 supposes a two-fold character. We have now to note 

 more explicitly that even the simplest perception is still 

 a highly complex fact. For the sensuous consciousness 

 of an object arises not merely from a fixing of attention 

 upon a given object; it is also a singling out or selection 

 of that object from among an indefinite number of objects 

 all presenting themselves to notice. And still further, it 

 is a direct reference of the perceived object to the self as 

 perceiving. 



It is true that in these acts of selecting objects and 

 referring them to himself as a conscious unit, the individ- 

 ual is not necessarily aware of the fact that he is making 



