72 K. S. L ASHLEY AND S. I. FRANZ 



tions of uniqueness by the uncritical in psychological analysis. 

 There followed the further belief that each one of the supposedly 

 different mental states must have a corresponding anatomically 

 distinct counterpart. 



When these beliefs are looked at critically they are recognized 

 to be logical from the standpoint of any of the current brain- 

 mind hypotheses. But this logical conclusion applies only to 

 the general and not to the particular way in which the differences 

 are looked at. It is doubtless true that there are many arrange- 

 ments of cells and fibers in different parts of the cortex, and these 

 differences in arrangement may mean differences in function. 

 That great differences in function are not necessary consequences 

 of anatomical differences may be illustrated, but of course not 

 proven, by an analogy. It is well recognized that a house may 

 be built of wood, or of bricks, or of stone, and that it may be 

 one or two or more stories in height, be narrow or broad, or with 

 large windows and doors, or with Venetian blinds, or painted 

 blue, or with a gable roof, or with any other characteristics. 

 But, whatever these anatomical characteristics may be the struc- 

 ture remains a place of habitation. The differences in structure 

 do not indicate fundamental functional differences of the col- 

 lections, they are modifications of only certain minor elements, 

 and point only to minor functional differences. The function of 

 the habitation may, therefore, differ slightly because of its com- 

 binations of internal and external structures, for it may be more 

 comfortable in winter, or be conducive to cleanliness, or the 

 reverse. It still remains a house with the general functions 

 which all such structures have. The windows let in light, the 

 doors permit entry and exit, the walls protect, and the furnish- 

 ings give comfort, to different degrees, but the same general 

 functions pertain to the cottage, to the mansion and to the 

 apartment house. The functional similarities are more pro- 

 nounced than the structural differences. 



Equally with mental states and the cerebral anatomical struc- 

 tures. We may discover by careful analysis that although the 

 mental states differ they are not. so divergent as a superficial 

 observation would indicate. There are many similarities, many 



