The dynamic theory of life and mind : an attempt to show that all organic beings are both constructed and operated by the dynamic agencies of their respective environments / James B. Alexander.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Alexander, James B., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Organic living.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (1067 pages)

Other Title:

dynamic theory of life and mind

Place of Publication:

Minneapolis, Minnesota : Housekeeper Press, [1893]

Summary:

"It is my endeavor in this volume to point out that organisms instead of being hand-made and purposive, are machine-built machines, and operated, when built, by forces outside of themselves. As we are more interested in ourselves than in other organisms, especial care has been taken to ascertain the relationship of man to the other animals and to point out their resemblances and contrasts. To this end I have cited a large number of facts that cannot fail to interest every intelligent person whether he agrees with my conclusions or not. Especial attention is called to mental phenomena and the machinery for their production. The brain is shown to be the organ of the environment and a mind forming instrument. The Dynamic Theory, by showing the connection between the external stimulation and its internal sequel in mental action, proves both of them to belong to the same class of physical motion. A study of mental action therefore demands and includes an investigation of the related and antecedent physical phenomena. When these are all considered together we soon perceive that they belong together. Particularly are the phenomena of mentality and vitality seen to be inseparable. In fact all organic reactions partake of both vital and mental characteristics, and when we consider the more elementary organisms, the two merge into each other till it becomes impossible to make any distinction between them. A similar consideration extended to other branches of physical phenomena show them to be all derived from a common stock, and that finally we must consider all energy as only one. Finding ourselves involved in the effects of these various dynamic agencies, the study of them and the ways in which they affect us, becomes a matter of personal interest to everyone; and it is not too much to say that it is a duty everyone owes to himself to pursue such study as far as practicable. It is a sort of duty that, like eating, breathing or exercising, cannot be delegated or performed by proxy; and its neglect involves an abdication not only of power, but of liberty. The facts I have presented have been drawn from the most reliable scientific authorities"--Preface. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved).

Notes:

Description based on: online resource; title from PDF information screen (Worldcat, viewed June 2, 2023).