15G ALFRED T. SCIIOFIELD, ESQ., M.D., M.R.C.S., ETC., ON 



The President (Sir Gr. G. STOKes, Bart., F.R.S.). — I have, intho 

 first instance, to return your thanks to Dr. Schotield for this most 

 interesting and suggestive paper. (Applause.) I now invite those 

 present to begin the discussion after the Honorary Secretary has 

 read a communication. 



Captain Francis Petkie, F.G.S. — Sir B. W. Richardson and Pro- 

 fessor Burden Sanderson have written regretting their inability 

 to be present to-night. The following comnittnication is from Dr. 

 Alex. Hill, the Master of Downing. 



" Oxford, Dec. 2nd, 189:3, 

 "My dear Sir, 



" I am much obliged to you for allowing me to see Dr. Schofield's 

 paper. It treats of one of the oldest of problems but one which 

 will alwaj'S be of infinite interest to the human mind. Are we 

 free agents in selecting our actions, in forming habit and therefore 

 in developing character, or are we instruments played upon by the 

 forces of nature or by a Power Divine P Is the note we utter our 

 own note or the sound ev^oked by circumstance or by the Deity ? 

 Unless it be our own we are jmppets and equally irresponsible for 

 harmony or discord whether the jilajer be God or chance. 



"We wish to believe that the 'mind is the player' — nay, we can 

 go further and say that it is good for us to believe it, atid this mere 

 statement is in itself a proof, for if our belief in our responsibility 

 influences our actions it is clear tha.t we have the power of 

 directing them. Physiological proof is however out of the 

 question ; Ave can simply ' admit (or jiresurae) that action may be 

 originated in the body by a purely mental impulse called the will.' 

 All attempts as proof are but illustrations. 



"Different methods of stating the case appeal to different minds, 

 but for myself I find that the nearest approach to a proof may be 

 put very briefly in such form as this : — The energy received into 

 the nervous system throngh the sensory nerves is riidirected 

 through motor channels into action. A condition termed con- 

 sciousness accompanies or marks the passage of this force, but one 

 cannot conceive of the consumjation of force in the production of 

 this state of consciousness. All the force received must be 

 accounted for in chemical change within the nervous system or in 

 outward movement. The condition of consciousness however 

 px^esupposes the power of selecting action. Consciousness cannot 

 exist without calling into existence the will, although the will may 

 manifest itself in checking action only, not initiating it. But if 



