THE PROBLEM 3 



of individuation is the process of integration of a mere 

 aggregation into such a unity, for this unity is not 

 simply the unity of a chance aggregation, but one of a 

 very particular kind and highly constant character 

 for each kind of individual. In all except the simplest 

 individuals it determines a remarkable degree of uni- 

 formity and constancy, both in the spatial relations of 

 parts and the order of their appearance in time, and also 

 in co-ordination or harmony of functional relation of 

 these parts after their development. 



If this conception is correct, the fundamental problem 

 of the organic individual is the problem of the nature 

 of this unity. The first step in consideration of this 

 problem is to inquire whether this unity is real or appar- 

 ent. Conceivably it may be only an apparent or pas- 

 sive unity resulting from a pre-established harmony of 

 some kind between the constituent parts, a unity like 

 that of a house constructed from girders, stone, and 

 other materials, each part of which is measured and cut 

 beforehand according to a definite plan. The real unity 

 here is in the plan, not in its material realization. This 

 conception of the individual leads necessarily to the 

 assumption of a creative entity of some sort which con- 

 trols and orders the physico-chemical organism as man 

 controls and orders the materials of the house which he 

 builds. This dualistic or ''vitalistic" conception of the 

 organic individual, carried to its logical conclusion, denies 

 the possibility of solution of the problem of organic indi- 

 viduality by scientific methods. Some of its special 

 forms will be briefly considered in another chapter. 



On the other hand, the unity of the organic indi- 

 vidual may be an active unity resulting from interactions 



