123 
46. Man, therefore, is not a mere automaton ; the helpless 
plaything of every mode of motion with which he may be brought 
into contact ; the transmitter of heat, electricity, and mag- 
netism from matter, through himself, as thought, on to matter 
again, in its former modes; but he is an intelligent agent, 
conscious, and responsible, having the power to originate volun- 
tarily his own volitions, which have no congruity whatever with 
the phenomena of matter, compelled by his very constitution to 
assert the existence of an extra-mental world, of which, how- 
ever, he is not conscious, but of the existence of which he is 
as well assured as he is of his own existence ; capable of 
originating motions in that material world which, after many 
a change perhaps in velocity or mode, ceases to be motion. This 
power of originating motion being called force — matter also 
having the power of producing motion, but not in the same 
sense as an agent does it — and whatever possesses this power is 
never without it, powers of matter and mind being as insepa- 
rable from them as are their qualities. In this sense I affirm the 
“ Persistence of Force ” as strongly as I deny the “ Conservation 
of Energy/’ 
The Chairman. — I am sure we shall all join in the vote of thanks to Dr. 
McCann for his able and interesting paper. I regret that, on account of the 
state of the weather, there are comparatively few present, for the question is 
one which involves some of the most important matters to which human 
thought can be directed. It embraces four distinct subjects, namely, Physical 
Science, Mental Science, Metaphysical Science, and important questions of 
Logic. It may be remembered that one of these subjects was treated of on 
one of the evenings when Mr. Bradlaugh was present. As the subject is 
of much importance, I hope that it will be well taken up this evening. 
Should any strangers be present, they are invited to join in the discussion. 
Dr. E. Haughton. — It would assist me a little if Dr. M‘Cann will 
kindly explain the last sentence of his paper. 
Dr. M‘Cann. — The persistence of force means that the power to originate 
motion is always possessed ; the motion itself always begins and ends. 
Dr. Haughton. — But the phrase, “ conservation of energy ” ,does not 
necessarily mean the conservation of motion. 
Dr. M‘Cann. — That is the point I wish to establish. 
Dr. Haughton.— It is held that energy may exist as potential energy, and 
not as actually moving anything. 
Dr. M‘Cann. — That is the very point I have referred to in the paper. I 
speak of potential energy. 
Dr. Haughton. — With respect to the last sentence of the paper, as to the 
conservation of energy, I confess that it is not, even now, quite clear to me. 
The doctrine, as put forth in the paper, differs from what is accepted ordi- 
narily, and I think there does seem to be a want of fixity in the terms used, 
K 2 
