Affective Tendencies 391 
Therefore from the first moment of its activation it has 
the appearance of a “movement in the nascent state” 
(Ribot). 
If its activation is sudden and intense the resulting 
activity of the motor muscles is accompanied by that of 
all the viscera. This “visceral cooperation” which thus 
takes place in connection with the emotions properly so 
called, is not, as Sherrington believes, due solely to the 
fact that the rapidity and intensity with which the muscles 
are set in motion induces the immediate action of the 
viscera which furnish the muscles wth the material for 
their energy, but also and especially because there is an 
overflow of nervous energy, which suddenly released in 
great quantities acts like a flood, and pours forth in nu- 
merous other tracks than those closely connected with the 
locomotor apparatus.* 
And this visceral commotion thus produced as a result 
of the sudden intense impulse, according to the well- 
known theory of James, Lange and Sergi, finds its cen- 
tripetal echo in the brain in the form of an emotion.** 
Hence it is the affective tendency which impels us and 
not the emotion as Sherrington maintains in accordance 
with the prevalent confusion between affective tendency 
and emotion which cannot be too greatly deplored, and 
the emotion is only the reaction of a too rapid and intense 
manifestation of this tendency. 
On the other hand if on account of external condi- 
tions or the psychic disposition of the individual the acti- 
vation of the affective tendency takes place neither too 
42See Sherrington, The Integrative Action of the Nervous Sys- 
tem, pp. 265 f. ; 
43See the famous article of W. James, “What is an Emotion?” 
Mind, April, 1884, pp. 188-205—Revault d’Allonnes, Les inclinations, 
108 f. 
