Character 135 



jectify concepts and create beliefs by following 

 definite paths natural routes of exit laid down 

 during an earlier development of the race which 

 have always remained available and are again 

 utilized by surplus energy. Definiteness of 

 action is thereby assured to people with surplus 

 energy which would not be possible without 

 this earlier development and subsequent aban- 

 donment of organs. On the other hand, the 

 energy now flows in fixed channels counter to 

 present conditions. We have this phenomenon 

 illustrated by religious conversion, when a per- 

 son under strong impulse changes his activity 

 from wonted ways to the performance of 

 deeds he had not desired to do in his previ- 

 ous life. He now acts from motives hitherto 

 unknown, and opposes himself to his environ- 

 ment and to the demands of his earlier expe- 

 rience. A gulf divides his life, and he has 

 an impetus toward forms of activity which 

 will become effective only through radical 

 changes in the environment or in social con- 

 ditions. A surplus is quickly transformed into 

 emotions and impulses which make men dis- 

 contented with existing conditions, and the 



