PHYSICAL ANTECEDENTS OF SCIENCE 137

valid cognition of that kind, and one about which we are

certain.

Similarly, our two ears enable us to apprehend the exist-

ence of single external bodies possessing energies which

translate themselves into sensations of sound, as we say,

in our ears, though, for all we can determine, " in our brain "

might be an expression more in accordance with reality.

For our purpose, however, such distinctions are of no

account. What is of account what relates to considerations

which, later on, will concern us much is the undeniable

fact that true and valid cognitions are produced by means

which, save for familiar experience, we should not, a priori,

regard as having any capacity, or being at all likely, to

produce them.

It also concerns us to note that there is a gradual

transition in each of us from vital processes performed

altogether beyond the terminations of the nerves, in the

most intimate parenchyma of the body, through unfelt

nervous activities and nervous activities only sometimes

felt, on to acts which are distinctly felt and voluntarily

performed. Thus, in addition to our known actions and

those corporeal activities which are only occasionally felt,

there is an energy operating throughout the body by the

intimate activities of which its vitality is ultimately and

mainly sustained, and through which entirely unfelt re-

sponses are constantly made to received impressions, which

never can be perceived and ever remain beyond the domain

of consciousness.

We have in this chapter been mainly occupied about

questions of structure, together with the vital energies such

structures subserve. We have been compelled to treat

somewhat of feelings and cognitions, as forming part of the

energies resulting from such structures. But in the next

chapter the psychical energies of sensation, imagination,

valid cognition of that kind, and one about which we are

certain.

Similarly, our two ears enable us to apprehend the exist-

ence of single external bodies possessing energies which

translate themselves into sensations of sound, as we say,

in our ears, though, for all we can determine, " in our brain "

might be an expression more in accordance with reality.

For our purpose, however, such distinctions are of no

account. What is of account what relates to considerations

which, later on, will concern us much is the undeniable

fact that true and valid cognitions are produced by means

which, save for familiar experience, we should not, a priori,

regard as having any capacity, or being at all likely, to

produce them.

It also concerns us to note that there is a gradual

transition in each of us from vital processes performed

altogether beyond the terminations of the nerves, in the

most intimate parenchyma of the body, through unfelt

nervous activities and nervous activities only sometimes

felt, on to acts which are distinctly felt and voluntarily

performed. Thus, in addition to our known actions and

those corporeal activities which are only occasionally felt,

there is an energy operating throughout the body by the

intimate activities of which its vitality is ultimately and

mainly sustained, and through which entirely unfelt re-

sponses are constantly made to received impressions, which

never can be perceived and ever remain beyond the domain

of consciousness.

We have in this chapter been mainly occupied about

questions of structure, together with the vital energies such

structures subserve. We have been compelled to treat

somewhat of feelings and cognitions, as forming part of the

energies resulting from such structures. But in the next

chapter the psychical energies of sensation, imagination,