EVOLUTION AND ITS CONSEQUENCES. 35 



than in animals. In some of the yery lowest plants movement 

 wonl'd seem to be similar to that seen in the lowest animals. The 

 origin of intelligence is then to be found in the first traces of con- 

 sciousness. But inquiry will go further in the search for truth. 

 One school of physiologists believes consciousness to be due to cer- 

 tain molecular changes of nerve (i. e., brain) substance. No doubt 

 these are essential to consciousness ; yet it is, at least, utterly 

 inconceivable that any molecular condition should be capable of 

 recognizing either pleasure or pain. Here we find the first ap- 

 pearance of the '^feelings," that part of the human mind which 

 deserves to be called, par excellence, '*the soul," and which is 

 the ^Mocator" of all the forces which go to build up the tis- 

 sues, organs, and parts of the body ; and hence the organic type 

 of the intellect and even of the will. For if we find growth-force 

 to be a correlative of physical force, and subject to motive-force 

 for its *Mocation," so, while we find that motive-force is in like 

 manner but another equivalent of ordinary force, we find it also 

 subordinate to this principle which "locates" it. 



7. On Intelligent Selection. 



We will now retrace our steps along the line of causes and 

 effects, and see, if possible, the nature and results of "intelligent 

 selection." 



Protoplasm, homogeneous or cellular, discharges a force called 

 "motive-force," or neurism, which it converts from surrounding 

 forces by virtue of its molecular (chemical) or atomic constitu- 

 tion. Its spontaneous exhibitions as movements bring it into 

 contact with surrounding objects, when, if sufficiently sensitive 

 to impressions, consciousness of a pleasurable or painful charac- 

 ter is aroused. Then in proportion to its sensitiveness, and the 

 strength of the impression, the protoplasm retains the latter in 

 an unconscious way, and, on the subsequent recurrence of the ob- 

 ject to the consciousness, the pleasurable or painful attribute is 

 also revived by the law of "contiguity." The "vital principle" 

 interfering restrains the motive-force from exercise toward it, if 

 it be painful, or releases it for motion toward it, if it be pleasur- 

 able. This quality of the vital principle is a power of choice, and, 

 in so far as consciously exercised, is will* Nothing is better 

 known than that acts originated consciously may, by repetition, 



* For further development of this subject see Part IV of this book. 



