SOME RELATIONS OF MIND AND BODY. 167 



The Chairman (A. McArthur, Esq., D.L., V.P.) accorded the 

 thanks of the meeting to the Author, after which a discussion of 

 a general character took place. The meeting was then adjourned. 

 Tlie Institute later on received the followino' 



COMMUNICATIONS IN BEG ABB TO BB. SCHOFIELB'S 



PAPEB :— 



Professor H. Calderwood, LL.D., writes : — 



Sub-Conscious MiND.~The paper of Dr. A. T. Schofield " On 

 some relations of Mind and Body " is one of marked interest. The 

 importance for thei'apeutics of the phenomena specially contem- 

 plated will be generally i-ecognised; but their precise significance 

 in this relation must be judged by specialists. 



I view the paper from the standpoint of mental philosophy — 

 specially from that of the psychologist. From this point of 

 view, Dr. Schofield's discussion presents many questions of import- 

 ance. Many of his positions must command ready assent. To 

 me their chief interest concenti-ates on the view given of the 

 .sub-conscious mind ; and my remarks will be confined to this part 

 of the paper. 



The wide range of meaning assigned to " mind " is not only a 

 divergence from the commonly received definition, but it seems 

 non-essential to the position as to the "sub-conscious " exercise of 

 intelligent beings. " Life is practically synonymous with inind, if "^ 

 b}^ life we mean the power that purposively directs the movements 

 of matter " (p. 152). The commonly received conclusion is that 

 physical energy is distinct from mental power. So the author 

 speaks of the mind's " relations to the body," and of " the wid& 

 powers the mind has over the body in relation to disease." This 

 contrast seems even essential to the author's ai-gument. Nerve 

 energy accomplishes purposive action, independently of mind^ 

 that is, not purposed. The winking of the eyes is purposive, 

 without being purposed. Mind accomplishes purposive action, 

 independently of nerve energy, as in our reasonings. Keep up 

 nerve energy to the utmost by food, rest, and exercise, you dO' 

 not produce The Merchant of Venice^ Paradise Lost, Waverleij, or 

 Sartor Besartuf!. Physical development does not yield us choice- 



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