THE SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS 



consists in a readjustment of the molecules of the proto- 

 plasmic body, by which is effected a motion of that body 

 as a whole. In higher forms of life, we speak of this as 

 muscular contraction. The only tangible thing that 

 the highest mind can accomplish in response to any im- 

 pulse, is to bring about the contraction of the muscles 

 of the body with which that mind is inseparably linked. 



The responsive capacity of mind is therefore in its 

 elements as simple as the receptive capacity. But the 

 results, in the one case as in the other, become marvel- 

 lously complex. The simplest organism responds directly 

 and immediately to every impulse that impinges upon 

 it. But the higher organism, receiving a multitude 

 of impulses momentarily, could not possibly respond 

 at once to them all; so it develops the capacity to 

 restrain some responses, storing the energy that would 

 go to make up these responses or deflecting it into an- 

 other channel. Thus some responses are prohibited 

 while others are increased beyond their normal de- 

 gree of reaction. This inhibition on the one hand and 

 direction on the other is the work of volition. The first 

 part of its function is quite as essential as the second, 

 though this is not infrequently overlooked by the analyst. 



This power of volition, then, in its developed form, 

 comes to take its place not strictly on a plane with the 

 other mental capacities; but rather to sit above them, 

 holding the whip hand, and determining what sensa- 

 tions merit a response, and what particular forms of com- 

 bined ideas shall be permitted to have outward ex- 

 pression through the muscles. When it has decided, 

 its mission is, as it were, to unbolt the door in a certain 



