The Metaphysics of a Naturalist 
33 
an individuality — it is polarized as a whole and acts as a magnet. 
Similar solenoids react against it ^ and a system could be formed from 
innumerable solenoids in equilibrium which would vary with the 
currents sent through the several elements ^ while the entire system 
would be in equilibrium at all times. While it is not suggested 
that the brain cells are solenoids or anything of so crude a nature 
as thatj yet it is believed that the afferent currents passing into 
the cortex produce in more or fewer of the brain cells a system 
of intrinsic activities which react, each with each, in a total cor- 
tical equilibrium which for each instant is the dynamic aspect of 
a state of consciousness — an act of mind. The whole involved 
activity, now more now less, at any given moment, is equilibrated 
and forms a self-centered process of unitary nature. The struc- 
tural mechanism of the brain is an uninterrupted flux of activity 
of a vital character. Vital activities "are all analogous, rota- 
tional or vector, we might say (for illustration solely) as con- 
trasted to translational or indeterminate or progressive activities. 
To be more general, what we call structure is evidence of 
statically condensed energy (energy in vector states) and this 
is competent to enter into reaction with afferent impulses and 
convert them into vector activities. The sum of the equili- 
brated activities in the body form its vital continuum. One 
phase of the equilibrated continuum is the activitity of conscious- 
ness. So far as we know, the conscious continuum is associated 
with the total vital complex. It is not proven that any other 
form of equilibrated vector forces is capable of assimilating the 
afferent stimuli and converting them into similar terms and so 
converting them into a conscious activity, though it may be said 
that we know of nothing to the contrary, 
One moves a lever upon a friction-clutch, and tooth engages 
wheel and band moves upon pulley, till the whir of a thousand 
wheels follows. Could we think of the friction-pulley as gradually 
creating the machinery of the mill out of existing energy in 
resisting phases, we would have a rough image of the vital organ- 
ism. 
But do you mean that my foot is part of my soul? Yes, I 
mean that the vital activities in my foot form part of my vital 
Cf. “Mind and Body — The Dynamic View/’ Psychological Review, vol. 11, 
espec. pp. 406-409 (November 1, 1904.) 
