The science of minds fundamentally treated

UC-NRLF

B F

161

G56

1908

MAIN

QODL.OYER

LIBRARY

OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA.

GIFT OF

THE

SCIENCE OF MINDS

FUNDAMENTALLY TREATED

BY

HUGH BLISS GODLOVER
MASTER OF SCIENCE

Copyright,

1908,
By HUGH BLISS GODLOVER.

Preface.

The content presented in this book is the result
of pioneer-work and is thus far preliminary. Pre-
liminary steps are therein taken to lay the foun-
dation of a new science, the building-materials for
which, though since long times provided, were
not used for the formation of a systematic and
logically consistent work.

The same task undertaken by the various philo-
sophical schools with, alas, often the most deplor-
able results, is here carried on in a way which
promises the hope for a successful result. The
old problems as to the nature of the universal
and the individual, the old enigmas of mind and
matter constitute the task, the solution of which
is offered in this work.

As a pioneer work it was only achieved with
difficulties and, indeed, after the overcoming of
great many hardships. As in a preliminary work
the subject-matter is yet fundamentally treated,
but with the aim and hope to continue the enter-
prise, till the building — the new Science of Minds
—in its details is erected to the benefit of man-
kind, and to the glory of God.

H. B. GODLOVER.

165304

ig^LIFO;

Table of Contents.

Page
The Scope, Definition and Methods of the

Science of Minds 7

Definition and Classification of Minds 8

Activity and Individuality of Minds 9

I. The Infinite Minds 10

1. God , 10

2. Satan 10

II. The Finite Minds 11

A. The Embodied State of Finite Minds 13
Embodied Finite Minds 21

1. Stars , 21

2. Chemical and Physical Corpuscles 23

3. Minerals 26

4. 'Plants 29

5. Animals 32

6. Mankind 36

B. The Unembodied State of Finite Minds 42

The Scope, Definition and Methods of the
Science of Minds.

The Science of Minds comprises all minds.
Since minds and their actions constitute every
reality, this science deals with the subject-matter
of every special science. But its relations to them
are of a different kind. Whereas it furnishes to
all of them explanatory and fundamental prin-
ciples, its further bearing upon some is quite
slight, while others as e. g. Psychology it substi-
tutes in considerable parts, and Metaphysics it
even absorbs entirely.

The Science of Minds has thus a universal
scope, and may be defined as the science of
sciences or, more detailed, as that systematized
knowledge which has all realities for its objects.

The methods employed by the Science of
Minds are both deductive and inductive. To ver-
ify the hypotheses of deductive reasoning which
properly arise as inspirations, inductive means are
used, including especially the psychological pro-
cedure of introspection, and when actual instances
are not sufficiently available, the argument of
analogy.

8 THE SCIENCE OF MINDS

Definition and Classification of Minds.

Minds or spirits are individual beings.

Being implies the criterion of activity; individ-
uality that of freedom. Furthermore, every activ-
ity is somehow signified, which fact establishes
the properties and character of minds. Preemin-
ently general characteristics of minds are infinity
and finiteness, goodness and evil. Accordingly
the following categories of minds can be distin-
guished : Infinite, finite, good, and evil minds. As
finite minds vary by different degrees in their
properties, the distinction can be drawn between
souls and finite spirits properly so called ; more-
over, as they may exist in an embodied or disem-
bodied state, finite minds can in this respect be
classified in embodied and pure.

Activity and Individuality of Minds.

All minds are beings and exhibit therefore an
activity. The actions of minds are those of their
thinking, feeling, and willing faculties. Thinking
is the cognizing, differentiating, and conjoining of

ACTIVITY AND INDIVIDUALITY OF MINDS 9

objects by concepts. Feeling involves the emo-
tional activities, such as love and hatred. Will
is mere power. The realization of the potentiali-
ties of either faculty in an action. But every
action of one faculty is at once more or less
blended with those of the others.

Individuality is likewise an attribute possessed
by all minds. Individuality means independence
or freedom.

10 THE SCIENCE OF MINDS

I. THE INFINITE MINDS.

Next to the universal attributes of activity and
individuality, those of degree and morality rank
as the uppermost categories. Hence there are but
two original, respectively infinite minds.

The infinite, good mind is God. The infinite,
evil mind is Satan.

1. GOD.

The infinitude of God is His perfection. God
is neither restricted to particular space, nor to
time-limitations. He is therefore eternal, omni-
present, and omniscient, thinking infinitely
many thoughts at once and cognizing minutest
distinctions. He also possesses a universal power.
The goodness of God implies creating, respecting
and supporting minds.

2. SATAN.

Satan as an infinite mind is also eternal, omni-
present, universally mighty, and omniscient. His
evilness is realized by depraving, despising and
hindering minds.

THE FINITE MINDS 11

II. THE FINITE MINDS.

Finite minds are created by God. They are
finite as to their activities, although their origina-
tor is an infinite mind. They became finite in
consequence of the counteraction of the infinite,
evil mind, Satan. The latter is met by the crea-
tures at the very act of their liberation as an ob-
stacle, which hinders their existence. Satan's
physical antagonism manifests itself merely in a
negative sense, since an infinite being is motion-
less. For the same reason God's further activity
for His creatures after their coming into life con-
sists in favoring their existence by only inspiring
acts. The obstructing activity of Satan restricts
the life-functions of the original creatures to an
infinitesimal amount, but can never result in an-
nihilation. Annihilation is impossible, for it con-
tradicts the fundamental, cosmic principle of the
conservation of life.

But creatures reacting on the invigorating in-
spirations of God realize their infinite potentiali-
ties, though, on account of their freedom, differ-
ently with respect to the singular faculties,
and the latter themselves in the most divergent
degrees. Whereas e. g. men have left the infini-

12 THE SCIENCE OF MINDS

tesimal state of their ancestors, and differ from
them by having highly developed the cognitive
faculty, and somewhat that of power, other finite
minds have during the course of past ages mainly
evolved the latter, and acquired such huge power
as the stars.

As God's inspirations are characterized by
goodness, the according reactions of creatures can
only be actions of love, what, very probably, they
most frequently will be, since creatures are orig-
inally also of good character. God leads His
creatures to co-operation in which by evolution
the realization of their faculties proceeds. The
co-operation of a finite mind as principal for the
moral purpose of self-realization is his embodi-
ment. The co-operators themselves constitute the
body.

THE EMBODIED STATE OF FINITE MINDS 13

A. The Embodied State of Finite Minds.

Finite minds are restricted to limits in exercis-
ing their faculty of power. Were finite minds
unobstructed the sphere of their dynamic activity
would of course infinitely expand. To some de-
gree an expansion in fact takes place, especially in
consequence of some inspirations of God. But
the latter are very different and frequently also
towards the opposite direction. God acts accord-
ing to system and design which comprises all
finite minds of the universe. As the responsing
actions of creatures differ greatly, God takes
regard of this fact by harmonizing His inspira-
tions, imparted to one of His creatures with those
for others, that is for the whole rest. Thus His
inspiring impulses vary, and are accordingly in
an expanding or contracting direction.

Beside the ordering inspirations of God, there
are yet other factors determining the expanding
and contracting activity of finite minds, namely,
the disturbing inducements of Satan, further the
stimuli received from other finitei minds, and
lastly of course their spontaneous motives. Finite
minds as free beings act spontaneously, and thus
not only determine their own behavior, but exert

14 THE SCIENCE OF MINDS

also influence on that of fellow finite minds who
reciprocally do this with regard to the former.

All these factors combine to produce the great-
est variety in the resulting actions. The interval
between one action and the following constitutes
the concept of time; the degree to which the
expanding and contracting actions occur, that of
space. Both of these concepts are implied in the
concept of motion, that is a more or less long
series of actions, by which a change of position
of the agent to that of other finite minds is
effected. As those elementary actions, so, con-
sequently, the compound motions themselves are
of very different kind. They are produced accord-
ing to the individuality of the performer, his spon-
taneous agility and vigor, and the vivacity with
which he responds to foreign impulses. Thus
while some motions are so faint, as hardly to be
perceptible, others take place with the most ex-
ceeding force. Motions vary from the simplest
and uniform changes of position to the most artful
and rhythmical vibrations. During the course of
evolution some kind of motion became character-
istic for the agent, and since all faculties are inti-
mately connected, at once characterizing his
entire individuality.

THE EMBODIED STATE OF FINITE MINDS 15

The dynamic activities of finite minds are thus
of the greatest importance, and especially stand
in close correlation with the process of formation
of their bodies. The same factors influencing the
former are, therefore, also involved in the latter
occurrence.

Firstly it is God who according to His wise
design builds up the bodies of finite minds. God
as designer and builder of embodied finite minds
is their continuous creator. God accomplishes
this work by assembling finite minds through
inspiration, according to the affinity of their char-
acters. Minds possessing some characteristic,
respectively the special ability to perform certain
motions, are allied to minds who are not only
wanting of this aptness, but possess one of oppo-
site kind and, therefore, corresponding to that of
the former. Hence the expanding actions of the
one will fit to the contracting actions of the other,
and by this the minds become tied and knit
together. By such a unification of a vast number
of minds a body-system is built up.

16 THE SCIENCE OF MINDS

Since the embodiment lasts for some time, the
constituent minds become not only accustomed
to those peculiarities of their neighbors to which
they are already adapted, but as during that time
changes in properties take possibly place, they
reciprocally habituate themselves also to these
new aptitudes. When then after dissolution of
the body its constituents are freed, they will
exactly fit for a similar co-operation and, having
become familiar with a certain species of minds,
they will directly seek the co-operators with
whom they suit.

Habits thus play in this process a highly im-
portant role, especially as regards those finite
minds, which are yet at lower stages of evolution,
where the cognitive faculty is quite rudimentary.
These individuals, therefore, almost entirely lack
spontaneous decisions, but rather passively follow
external impulses. Now, habits are acquired by
the individual within time; furthermore are trans-
mitted according to the principK: of heredity to
the offspring; the latter, again, with more or
less slight variations, entails them on his own
descendants, and so on, till after long ages those
habits become established laws. Thus natural
laws comprise a series of facts, from which they

THE EMBODIED STATE OF FINITE MINDS 17

evolved. Natural laws cannot, therefore, in their
efficiency suddenly be suspended, because the
producing facts cannot be simply revoked. But a
derogation of natural laws would require a time-
period proportionate to that during which they
arose, and an adequate reverse bearing of all
those factors who have been involved in their
establishment. Slight sudden changes certainly
occur in the physical world, and minute ones
probably every moment, since even the agents
constituting nature are principally free beings.
In so far can, therefore, only in a relative sense
of a uniformity of nature be spoken. But such
gross mutations as e. g., a reembodiment of
human minds, with overleaping all phylogenetic
and ontogenetic facts, are absolutely inconceiv-
able. Therefore unless habits are not yet ac-
quired by the individual, respectively natural laws
have not yet become efficient, God cannot essen-
tially and instantly change the behaviour of those
unconscious, finite minds, properly involved in
executing a natural law. Moreover, God acts
according to system which comprises in its range
the infinite universe, and cannot, therefore, arbi-
trarily attend to a particular fad, but has to
reconcile all facts in their immense multitude.

18 THE SCIENCE OF MINDS

Therefore, great as the influence of God is with
regard to intelligent, receptive minds, and with
regard to those of inferior minds whicii do not yet
act by habits, limited is His modifying control
over the finite minds that properly produce the
physical phenomena. The limits of the physical
world are at once those of Divine miracles.

The second factor taking influence on the
structure of the body is Satan. Of course his
activity in this respect is only disturbing, and by
malicious inspiration of creatures to destruction
he causes corruption and degeneration, in the
removal of which finite minds are preeminently
aided by God.

The third factor engaged in the molding of the
body is the embodied finite mind himself. Among
the assemblage of minds representing the body
gradually arises one who, because of his superior
qualities, gains an overwhelming influence over
the rest, and becomes the governing and prevail-
ing agent at the formation-process of the body.
The individual thus presiding over the inferior
body-constituents is by their aid put in the condi-
tion to perform actions that alone he were too

•ilTY |

THE EMBODIED STATE OF FINITE MINDS 19

weak to accomplish. Moreover, while exerting
his influence he attains the development of his
faculties. As the exercise of the faculties involves
the use of the body, the body develops accord-
ingly, as the development of the directing indi-
vidual proceeds. Hence at higher stages of
evolution, where the body already possesses
organization, by a special use of the body, special
organs develop. The principal mind thus im-
presses his individuality upon the body, while
the latter, on the other side, symbolizes in its
properties more or less the character of the
former.

The last factor decisive for the constitution of
the body is its environment. The individual lives
not isolated, but stays in a universe of minds by
which he is persistently more or less affected. He
is part of the vast unified whole. Influences of
the environment coerce the individual to take
regard of it by proper adapting his attitude.
While some of the impulses received from the
surroundings are favorable to his development,
others on the contrary blight his activities.
Thence the individual is impelled to realize his
faculties, to exercise his organs, and to acquire

20 THE SCIENCE OF MINDS

adequate qualities. That who is most fitted will
of course survive. In this struggle creatures are
also supported, above all, by God, and as God
patronizes necessarily only good actions, the best
will gain the victory.

All these factors contribute to produce the
most abundant variety of bodies, as we meet
them on the heaven as stars, and on earth as men,
animals, plants, minerals, till down to those
corpuscles with which physics and chemistry
deals.

STARS 21

Embodied Finite Minds.
1. STARS.

A most peculiar mode of embodiment of finite
minds is that of stars. Out of the vast chaotic
mass of His unconscious creatures God brings
into being those gigantic bodies, on which after
enormous ages of continuous metamorphosis and
development His rational children are born. The
formation of a nuclear portion in a confused neb-
ular mass marks the beginning of a star-body.
Under the designing direction of God some of
those unconscious, finite minds, superior in activ-
ity to its fellow-minds', gathers around it a multi-
tude of the latter to live with them in community.
At first it is a whirl of fiery vapor from which the
future sidereal body evolves, but gradually this
gyrating vapor comes to some order, performs
its movements with more constancy, and having
monstrously increased in size, commences by a
continuous contracting of its mass to solidify.
Thus the fierce, incandescent vapor passes into a
glowing, molten mass which slowly on its surface
cools and hardens. But as this process is not
uniform, the crust which has been formed cracks

22 THE SCIENCE OF MINDS

in many regions, and the crevices and elevations
become grounds of valleys and mountains. Sur-
rounded above by an atmosphere, inclosing within
the various rocks and minerals, consisting on its
surface of soil and water, the star-body furnishes
the conditions for further differentiation and
development.

Such is in brief outline the evolution-process of
stars analogously to that through which our
earth has passed. The latter itself is part of the
solar system, therefore the sun is intimately con-
nected with the life on earth, but himself the
independent center of the system.

Infinite is the number of stellar systems in the
infinite space. Incalculably many suns with enor-
mous speed periodically circumscribe their vast
orbits, carrying with them planets and moons
which they with huge power attract. All these
celestial bodies have a limited embodied life, pass-
ing from infancy and full grown age to senility
and decay, though their lifetime comprises enor-
mous ages. Of course, with their fate is bound
that of their inhabitants ; and would they sud-
denly die, certainly would then also the latter
perish. But sudden world-catastrophes cannot
take place, for starminds are unconscious minds

CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL CORPUSCLES 23

and, therefore, subject to natural laws in which
sudden breakages, without gradual transitions,
never occur. Therefore stars in their old age,
slowly fade away, and when they die, they are
desert and barren.

2. CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL
CORPUSCLES.

The constituents of which the substance of the
earth, its atmosphere and matter in general con-
sist, are in the last resort all alike; they are all
finite spirits. Inductively this is proved by the
periodic law of chemistry. This law states that
the chemical elements are all related to each
other, it classifies them into families, and bases
this proposition upon the fact that their proper-
ties are functions of their atomic weights. If then
all ultimate constituents of matter are character-
ized by the same principle, it follows that they
essentially equal.

But what is the meaning of that principle?
What does the concept of weight imply? The
weight of a body is a result of the gravitational

24 THE SCIENCE OF MINDS

force. As every force also the latter exhibits,
at least, two aspects, namely, the activities of two
factors which in this case are the earth and the
body. Since the ultimate particles of matter
have weight, they thereby prove themselves as
active. They are agents or beings, for to be is
to act. Moreover, as ultimate particles they are
individual, and as restricted in their activity to a
limited space they are finite. The ultimate par-
ticles of matter or atoms are therefore finite,
individual beings or finite minds.

The atoms are unconscious, finite minds. They
are in a dreamlike state, and their faculties, except
that of power, are in a most rudimentary condi-
tion. Perceptibly they manifest themselves,
therefore, merely as forces. All forces are
reducible to actions of either contracting i. e.,
centripetal, or expanding i. e., centrifugal direc-
tion. If exerted in the same direction these ele-
mentary activities result in a repulsion of the
agents, if in different direction in an attraction,
and are immersed in the concept of motion, if
considered in their time and space aspects. Thus
every motion, because involving an activity of
the power faculty, is an expenditure of potential
energy which at the performance of the motion

CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL CORPUSCLES 25

in kinetic energy is converted. The velocity with
which motions proceed and their diverse char-
acter in wave-motions determine the sensations
which they produce in the perceiver. Relatively
quick motions are perceived as heat, those of less
velocity as cold ; motions of very rapid velocity
produce the sensation of light, the color of which
depends on the wave-length of this motion. Vi-
brations proceeding especially in air as medium
arouse sound-sensations, whereas the producing
of electric oscillations, and the intensity of the
magnetic state is foremostly connected with the
nature of the medium.

The latter, that is matter, indeed displays the
greatest variety. The internal structure of matter
is determined by the complexity of arrangement
of its constituents. The simplest modes of struc-
ture belong to the so-called ethereal state of mat-
ter. Ether-matter, because of its subtlety and
tenuity, is naturally imperceptible by human
sense-organs. To a limited degree perceptible are
gases, whereas quite perceptible, even for the
lower senses, is matter in its liquid and solid state
of aggregation.

Solids, liquids and gases are built up of mole-
cules; and the latter themselves of compounds

26 THE SCIENCE OF MINDS

which only by extraordinary means are dissol-
uble. The ultimate constituents of matter, viz.,
its real atoms, those unconscious finite minds are,
because of their most minute magnitude, of
course inaccessible for sense-experience.

Molecules are held together by molecular
forces, while the more refined compounds are
linked by chemical and ethereal forces. Forces,
respectively the modes of motion in which they
exhibit themselves, are convertible into each other
without perceptible loss. The conservation of
energy which is thus greatly maintained, is ex-
plainable by the fact that the agents which ulti-
mately constitute matter act mechanically i. e., by
habits, for they are unconscious, finite minds.

3. MINERALS.

The lowest stage in the evolutional scale, as
far as obvious to the unaided human senses, is
maintained by minerals. This class of matter
includes not only the earth's substance, but also
its atmosphere that represents minerals in a
gaseous state of aggregation. In their solid state

MINERALS 27

minerals differ from other material substances by
their, usually, excessive hardness. Moreover, all
minerals are morphologically characterized by
the property of crystalizing. Crystals are bodies
of symmetrical shape, and especially distin-
guished by having a body composed of planes
that meet in straight lines and subtend angles.
The formation of crystals proceeds from a minute
particle of the mineral substance as a center,
the nucleus, around which other minute constit-
uents of the same mineral accrue, effecting thus
an external growth of it. Minerals are, therefore,
of homogeneous substance, which itself presents
some chemical compound. As chemical com-
pounds are built up of elements, and the latter
themselves are ultimately reducible to uncon-
scious, finite minds, the nucleus, consequently,
contains the principal, finite spirit that in the
process of crystalization attains embodiment.

This form of embodied life is primitive enough.
Neither does there any visible, external motion
take place, nor internally a change of substance
occur. Minerals live a still and rigid life. Since,
then, owing to the absence of vigorous activities
the mineral, especially the nucleus, remains in
the same composition after the dissolution of the

28 THE SCIENCE OF MINDS

crystal, as at entering the crystalization, the
nucleus, respectively the finite spirit inclosed in
it, may, without an overleap of philogenetic and
ontogenetic antecedents, so far embody again
and again till, having overcome this lethargic
state, it reaches a stage, where in activity and
progress it may display its slumbering poten-
tialities.

Crystals are not only in their substance homo-
geneous, but also of uniform external structure,
lacking whatever special organs. For the latter
reason minerals are separated as anorgana from
other bodies that possess structural differentia-
tion. But that an absolute distinction between
inorganic and organic bodies does not exist, is
evident from the facts that science succeeded in
synthetizing simpler forms of organic matter
from inorganic, further that the former contains
no element which is not found in the latter.

PLANTS 29

4. PLANTS.

Plants are organisms or embodied, more or
less developed, unconscious finite minds. Their
bodies consist of organized matter. The passing
from inorganic to organic matter and to organ-
isms does not without gradual transition take
place, and though spontaneous generation, that
is the production of organisms from crude inor-
ganic or even organic matter has not been exper-
imentally accomplished, nevertheless nature fur-
nishes abundant organisms that do not much
differ from mere matter. Such organisms con-
sisting of a single cell vindicate their position
on the stage of biological development by exhibit-
ing the fundamental and characteristic biological
functions, namely, metabolism and reproduction,
but of special organs for performing these phe-
nomena they are entirely wanting.

Higher developed life thus proceeds from
single cell-organisms that in botany by the
protophytes are represented, and correspond to
the simple germ cells from which multicellular
plants develop. As single cells both proiophytes
and germs possess as essential part the nucleus.
Here as in unorganic crystals the seat of the

30 THE SCIENCE OF MINDS

directing spirit is located. But whereas anorgana
are growing from without by apposition of homo-
generous particles upon the nucleus, organisms
are characterized by an interior growth. As
regards the latter itself the nucleus is of the
greatest importance. Consisting chemically of
protoplasm, the proper living matter of the cell,
the nucleus possesses the property of converting
the crude, inorganic particles which were
absorbed in the cell, into organic substance, the
bulk of the building-material of the plant-body.
From this it is obvious that especially the direct-
ing agent operating in protophytes or one of
the germ-cells, exerts in plants a more thorough-
going influence upon the body than in crystals.
This fact is at once an explanation for the higher
development of plants, and the deeper differences
between botanical specimens. Plant-spirits pos-
sessing more vigor and irritability, respond more
readily upon the stimuli received from without,
and not only are able to express their individual-
ity in the responsing actions, but also in some
degree spontaneously to effect mutation of their
bodies. In consequence of these facts they,
especially, adapt the latter to the environment
according to the functions required. As the

PLANTS 31

needs and necessities to be satisfied by them vary
with different food-supply and external circum-
stances, it follows that also their bodies will
display abundant variance. And here lies a
remarkable distinction between plants and min-
erals. Whereas samples of mineral substances
from all parts of the globe, because of the rigid-
ity and inertness of the determinative constituent-
factors, morphologically almost entirely equal
each other, plants grown in different zones vary
widely in shape. But also structurally plants
already attained to most conspicuous differentia-
tion. For performing diverse functions plants
possess special organs. This specialization is
remarkably realized in their reproductive organs,
and flowering plants have even reached the stage
of sexual reproduction. Also for effecting the
other characteristic, biological function, namely,
metabolism plants have developed proper organs.
Roots and leaves serve to this purpose, the former
being nutritive organs, the latter organs for tran-
spiration.

Plants absorb dissolved, mineral substances
from the soil, and dioxide gas from the atmos-
phere. Under the influence of sunlight this gas
is decomposed, and of its carbon-constituents

32 THE SCIENCE OF MINDS

with other elementary ingredients higher chem-
ical compounds are formed. Thus the kinetic
energy of the sun becomes converted into the
potential energy of those preparates, which partly
by plants themselves are used for their susten-
ance, partly by other organisms as their food.
These considerations in connection with the fact
that men and animals can also as regards oxygen-
supply avail themselves of the unconscious aid of
plants, prove clearly the benevolent, Ideological
aspect of nature, namely, the wise providence of
God.

5. ANIMALS.

Descending as plants from the same ancestry,
namely from unicellular organisms, animals
however, have reached a higher stage of develop-
ment. This they achieved by virtue of their finer
susceptibility towards external influences, and
their more active vivacity with which they re-
sponded to such impulses. Therefore, though
even plants display an abundance of varieties in
form and structure, the variability exhibited in
the fauna surpasses by far that of the flora.

ANIMALS 33

Directly are variations due to the amount of
functions performed by the individual, and to the
degree of activity. Corresponding to activity
and functions the development of organs takes
place. That the activity expended by animals is
quantitatively so considerable, is to explain by
their mode of nutrition, and the way of employ-
ment of the nutriments. Animals feed by sub-
stances in which great amounts of potential
energy are accumulated, that they mostly expend
for performing external work. The latter, re-
spectively the functions of the body, comprise a
relatively wide range. But as the functions
increase the body becomes more heterogeneous,
and by adapting itself to the respective require-
ments special organs are formed. Thus animals
gradually acquire diverse muscles for executing
of work, and lastly a nerve-system which in addi-
tion to their locomotion and peculiar mode of
nutrition characteristically distinguishes them
from plants.

Nerve-organs are of course differently devel-
oped with different animals. While in animal-
cules special nerve-organs are entirely absent,
and the single cell that constitutes the whole
body, performs also sensory functions, higher

34 THE SCIENCE OF MINDS

developed animals possess for this purpose special
nerve-organs which in the highest, zoological
groups become completely systematized. As
with the possession of nerve-organs the sensibil-
ity of the body is connected, that is, the animal's
capability of feeling pleasures and pains, it fol-
lows that, while to animalcules but dim feelings
can be ascribed, real pains and pleasures only as
regards animals with nerve-system can be spoken
of. The main part of a nerve-system is the brain
that superintends the rest of the body, and, as a
co-ordinating center especially accomplishes an
integration of the different bodily parts. And,
indeed, such a consolidating organ becomes nec-
essary at this stage of bodily development, where
the specialization of functions according to the
economic principle of division of labor is
brought to such an efficiency. As muscles are the
special organs for executing volitions, so the
brain is the special organ, where these psychical
acts originate. Moreover, not only blind will-
determinations, but also other mental activities
are produced in the animal-brain, though of
course to a very different extent. The brain,
especially the pineal gland-region has, therefore,
to be considered as the location of the embodied

ANIMALS 35

animal-spirit that presides over the whole bodily
system. Consequently the assemblage of mind-
constituents or the body that has lost the brain
will, if not immediately dissolve and die, persist
in an only ephemeral existence, and, because of
want of the directing agent, in a very precarious
manner perform its functions.

Its keener sensibility and more impulsive indi-
viduality renders the higher developed animal-
spirit also capable of activities pertaining to the

•

higher, mental faculties. Receiving in the brain
through nerve-fibres changes produced by the
outer world in the special sense-organs, it
becomes aware of them by apprehending those
mere sense-impressions as perceptions. Holding
them permanently for recollection, reinstating
them at the reception of new ones, correlating and
associating the latter with the former, but pre-
eminently by its capability of producing spon-
taneous, mental actions it has thus reached a
higher, mental stage.

It is true that animals, regularly, do not sur-
pass the stage of indistinct and unreliable in-
stincts; yet even in this condition they are not
only able — of course by the aid of Divine inspira-
tions— to provide the means for their support,

36 THE SCIENCE OF MINDS

to detect their shelter, to improve the same with
often admirable skill, and to evade their enemies
with astonishing shrewdness, in short, to perform
actions of self-love, but in following their sexual
instincts they prove in some way also love to
their mates, and many of them give, moreover,
evidence of tender feelings to their offspring.
Thus animals have made a considerable progress
on the road of evolution towards its goal, that is,
the recognition of the creatures' original property,
love.

6. MANKIND.

The highest level of realization of their cog-
nitive faculty finite minds have reached on earth
in men. Though in the animal-world we also
meet highly developed and remarkably differenti-
ated individuals, yet the intellectual qualities that
even the uppermost species of this class of crea-
tures, viz., anthropoid apes, attained, are quite in-
significant in comparison with those achieved by
mankind. Bodily indeed the differences between
both are less striking. For also some of the apes

MANKIND 37

have an erect walk, they, too, use their upper ex-
tremities as hands, and their anatomical charac-
teristics indicate at least that both apes and men
have descended from a common, ancestral stock.
Especially corroborated is this assumption by the
resemblance of the human brain with that of apes.
Except some inconspicuous convolutions on its
surface the former differs structurally little from
the ape-brain. But how different are the func-
tions that this bodily mechanism performs in
men and in animals ! While the latter have
hardly surpassed the perceptual stage of intel-
lectual development, and are absolutely unable of
articulate speech, the human mind has through
the dawning of his perceptual period arrived to
the light of the ideal stage, thus to the most ad-
vanced degree realizing the capacities of his cog-
nitive faculty.

Ideas and perceptions are different. Both of
these psychical facts, if true, must be based on
ideas of quite different character that, as pre'-em-
tions are, more or less, mediately derived from
sensual experience, yet there also exist some
ideas of quite different character that, as pre-em-
inently the Divine idea, regularly originate from
other sources. Those sources are transcendent

38 THE SCIENCE OF MINDS

to the senses. Of the great number of ideas in-
corporated in language are especially these which
were inspired to men. They differ essentially
from ideas of the former kind and from sensa-
tions themselves. For tfieir 'character is not
merely subjective, that is, depending on the em-
bodied mind who forms them, respectively his in-
constant sensations, but of absolute validity.

By concepts abstracted from perceptions, and
ideas especially inspired to him by his Creator,
man was able to give his life a course, widely di-
vergent from that of animals'. To this new mode
of life men have indeed only gradually arrived,
and great were their struggles that had preceded,
ere they overcame the darkness of their mental
infancy. But having once attained to the light of
reason, the mature human mind proceeded fur-
ther in fast progress, and vast are the advance-
ments that modern man has achieved, and that
distinguish him from his primitive ancestors.
Modern civilization and its daily improvements
veiify this.

It may be assumed that the life of the prehis-
toric troglodyte will not have much differed from
that of higher brutes. Like they he squats with
his mate and offspring in a cave that he leaves,

MANKIND 39

when hunger drives him to seek after food. Prey-
ing on the animal-world which he hunts with
weapons coarsely made of sticks or stones, he
feeds on their meat without much preparation.

It is when man learns to tame and to domesti-
cate animals, that a new epoch in his civilization
commences. Care for his cattle employs him
steadily, and by employment with regular work
human life becomes more peaceful. Cruel sav-
age-habits are thus stripped off. But also at this
stage man is far from a harmonious, steady life,
and without fixed abode roams the nomado, when
the foodstuffs for his herds are exhausted. Wan-
dering from place to place, and parting at some
from family-members, he distributes the race over
the earth. At these wanderings he visits differ-
ent regions, till he chooses one that attracts him
by the fertility of its soil. Detecting grains there
among the grasses he comes to learn the value of
cereals, begins to cultivate them, and tills the
ground.

Thus human civilization passes from the no-
mado-period to the agricultural stage. But agri-
cultural work requires implements which, as his
clothes and household goods, the farmer has
neither time nor skill enough himself to manufac-

40 THE SCIENCE OP MINDS

ture. Beside, the soil yields him more products
than he and his family need for their support.
The selling of the superfluous remainder to peo-
ple who demand it and the finding of right pur-
chasers also requires a special knowledge that the
farmer does not possess. This and the former
business become therefore occupations of special
tradesmen. The latter for reasons of safety and
convenience locate their shops and stores on suit-
able places such as around churches, mission-
stations or governmental castles. There cities
are built up, and handicrafts as well as commerce
profitably carried on. When by accumulation of
capital under the control of a few individuals
centralization of the many smaller enterprises
into a few large concerns, that are in the condi-
tion more economically to supply the demands of
the market, is effected, the industrial period of
human civilization is inaugurated.

In cities life is conducted in ways different from
those in the country. The multitude of people
assembled there come continuously in contact.
Social and political life thus fast and liberally
develops, and for regulating of the affairs result-
ing from both, moreover, for adjudicating of the
now quite complicated private interests laws are

MANKIND 41

promulgated. By division of labor men specialize
themselves to vocations for which they possess
the greatest abilities, and consequently commodi-
ties are produced that also answer the more re-
fined tastes.

But man cannot find satisfaction 'in sensual
pleasures, he longs after a higher goal. He seeks
it in art and science. When studied deeply
enough either opens him the truth; the truth that,
though less consciously, and therefore stained by
errors, was recognized by the simple, human in-
tellect long ago ; the truth that human satisfaction
and happiness follow from love, and that with
infinite love men are embraced by their Creator.
Having thus come to conceive their true origin
and final goal men have at once reached their
salvation and evolution its purpose.

42 THE SCIENCE OF MINDS

B. The Unembodied State of Finite
Minds.

The part of the Science of Minds comprised by
this topic, pertains to a subject entirely metaphy-
sical, i. e., beyond sensual experience. Therefore,
the deductions here to be drawn, will like those
concerning the infinite minds have to be verified
by the special, inductive modes of introspection
and analogy. Thus statements will firstly be
demonstrated relating the human soul, and from
this basis to inferences arrived with respect to
the other finite minds.

In addition to the arguments already produced
as to the existence of principal finite minds, re-
spectively of the human soul, there may yet be
furnished some further evidence. As commonly
known the human body changes its whole sub-
stance during life in consequence of the metabol-
ism permanently proceeding in it. Yet notwith-
standing this fact there abide the characteristics
of the individual in those changes, and especially
is this the case with his memory-experiences.
Thus it is evident that in the organism an agent
must exist who imparts his properties to the

THE UNEMBODIED STATE OF FINITE MINDS 43

bodily constituents. Possessing the attribute of
thought and capable of will-determinations, he
controls the life-course of the body as a whole, as
well as its particular movements. Thus he func-
tions as a unifying principle with regard to the
mere mechanical conglomeration represented by
the body. Itself a unity the ego is indissoluble
and indestructible. It therefore survives the dis-
solution of the body, it is immortal.

But the immortality of the human soul is only
a special case of the universal law of the conser-
vation of life, respectively the impossibility of its
annihilation. This general truth, as confirmed by
considering of both human immortality, and of
the fact that man himself evolved from lower
creatures, more or less closely allied to him, leads
to the conclusion that immortality has to be ad-
mitted to all finite minds. Every finite spirit is
imperishable, every soul has an everlasting, pure-
spiritual life.

That this afterlife of finite minds will greatly
differ from their former embodied state, and that
their activities will be other than those during the
embodied life follows from the different conditions
to which finite minds are respectively subject. In
the embodied state the principal, finite mind is

44 THE SCIENCE OF MINDS

concatenated with inferior ones, the body-con-
stituents, that he directs, and by that in turn his
power is increased. By this a peculiar state is
brought about in consequence of which the soul
can regularly become aware only of such affec-
tions by the outer world as are conveyed into it
by the body, and perceived by it as sensations.
But the body possesses only a limited number of
special senses, the avenues through which external
influences are properly received ; moreover, each
of these receivers is adapted to stimuli of a certain
kind. Thus the optic nerve reacts normally only
on oscillations, characterized by the length of
waves and their velocity; and similar circum-
stances can be assumed as the presupposition for
a normal function of the auditory, olfactory, gus-
tatory and tactual nerves. By these limitations
the soul is confined with regard to the compass of
its perceiving the outer world, so that the body
thus obscures its apprehensiveness.

On the other side it is the body that furnishes
to the principal finite mind the necessary strength
to overcome the dead point of his initial lethargy,
in order to start in a vigorous way the develop-
ment of his faculties. Thus finite minds pass first
through a perceptive stage before reaching that

THE UNEMBODIED STATE OF FINITE MINDS 45

of abstract thought, the proper function of their
cognitive faculty. Thinking enables man to ar-
rive to broader views concerning the external
reality. He concludes that the latter does not
merely consist of objects immediately apprehen-
sible by his senses, but that beside this apparent
sensual world there exist also realms in that life
manifests itself in forms which, because of their
subtlety, remain hidden to the normal senses.
Thus men also come to recognize the existence of
the pure-spiritual realm, their own destiny after
leaving the body.

But the thinking activity suffers in many ways
during embodiment. The process of abstraction
and the precise conjoining of concepts requires
an intense focusing of the individual's attention
to the object, and this pursuit is easily disturbed
and diverted by disarrangements of the body or
even by the satisfaction of its regular wants. The
turbulent eddies and tedious struggles of the
ordinary life impede therefore most men from a
proper exercising their thinking faculty, so that
indeed rarely the moments occur, when the soul
in ecstasy and enthusiasm, releasing the body's
obscuring spectacles, attains some clearer views,

46 THE SCIENCE OF MINDS

and, as it were by sudden flashes, gains an intui-
tive insight into truth.

What thus scarce and seldom is afforded during
embodiment is the natural privilege of the soul
in its pure-spiritual life. Fully can it then grasp
truth, and comprehend the cosmos that now pre-
sents itself open in its vast extent. Of course,
as the process of comprehending has a double
aspect, so the cognition of that grand object also
presupposes a subject capable of such cognizing.
Not every mind, passing into the new life will,
therefore, equally participate of truth. Spirits of
plants and animals that while embodied did not
surpass the stage of crude sensations will in their
dim, dreamy state be unaware of the marvels re-
pletely displayed in the pure-spiritual realm. For
them the change of conditions will be of little
significance.

But quite otherwise for intelligent minds. To
the exertion and gratification of their faculties
a field is there offered of infinite range. With
most cheerful hope they may enter the spheres,
for happiness and bliss awaits them. Human
souls will meet there their deceased, dear relatives
and friends, and be welcomed by them. The
bonds of love that connected them closely on

THE UNEMBODIED STATE OF FINITE MINDS 47

earth, and only temporarily were suspended by
death, will be renewed ; family-life and friendship
rejoiced as before. Then new acquaintances will
be made, and new friendships be entered. But to
the pleasures of intercourse with these minds will
the appeasing satisfaction be added of having con-
tact with beloved persons, living yet on earth,
though by them not apprehended under regular
conditions. Parents will thus share the welfare
of their children, patriots the prosperity of their
country, and philanthropists the progress of man-
kind. Without, therefore, being excluded from
the physical world, there will, moreover, to the
unembodied mind also be available of course the
wonderful advantages and sublime amusements
of the pure-spiritual life. Scientists will be
amazed and delighted of the abundant facilities
for their pursuit, artists attentively admire the
magnific monuments of the creation, and suscep-
tible minds will with awe listen to the incessant
music of the spheres. And all of them free and
redeemed from the pains and cares of the body,
finding themselves in a congenial environment,
where they neither to darkness nor tempests are
ever exposed, will also contently discharge the
duties of their new life. And these will not only

48 THE SCIENCE Of MINDS

be duties concerning their own development, but
also that of fellowminds whom they with benevo-
lence and readily will assist in their similar aspi-
rations.

Thus by self-endeavor and co-operation an ever
increasing number of souls will, in infinite prog-
ress, be brought nearer to the goal of their life,
to the attainment of consciousness, to conscious
love, the property which, in addition to the in-
finite capabilities of their faculties, all finite minds
innately possess from their origin and Creator,
from God.

Index.

Abstraction, 38, 45
Activity, 8
Afterlife, 43, 46-48
Agricultural stage, 39
Analogy, argument of, 7
Animals, 32
Anorgana, 28
Annihilation, impossibil-
ity of, 11
Atoms, 24, 26

B

Biological functions, 29
Body, 12, 15
Brain, 34, 37

Characteristics, 8

Chemical corpuscles, 23

Cold, 25

Concepts, 38

Consciousness, 48'

Conservation of life, prin-
ciple of the, 43; of en-
ergy, 26

Contraction, 13

Creator, 10, 11, 15

Creatures, 11

Crystals, 27

Deduction, 7

Earth, 22

Electric oscillations, 25
Embodiment, 12, 21
Energy, potential, 24;

kinetic, 25
Environment, 19
Evil, 8, 10
Evolution, its purpose, 12,

41
Expansion, 13

Feeling faculty, 8
Finite minds, 11
Finiteness, 8
Force, 24
Freedom, 9

G

God, 10

Goodness, 8, 10
Gravitation, force of, 24

H

Habits, 16

Happiness, 41

Heat, 25

Heredity, principle of, 16

I

Ideas, 37
Immortality, 43
Individual, nature of, 3

INDEX

Individuality, 8, 9
Induction, 7
Industrial period, 40
Infinite minds, 10
Infinity, 8, 11
Inspiration, 42, 46
Instincts, 35
Introspection, 7

Light, 25

Love, 9, 36, 41, 48

M

Magnetism, 25

Mankind, 36

Matter, 23, 25

Minds, definition and

classification of, 8
Miracles, 18
Molecules, 25
Motion, 14, 24
Muscles, 33, 34

N

Nature, uniformity of, 17
Natural laws, 16
Nerve-system, 33
Nomads, 39
Nucleus, 21, 27, 29

Organs, 19, 31, 33
Organic matter, 28
Organisms, 29

Pains, 34

Perceptions, 35, 37
Periodic law, 23
Pineal gland, 34
Plants, 29
Pleasures, 34
Potentialities, infinite of

finite minds, 11
Power, 9
Property, 8
Protoplasm, 30
Providence of God, 32

Reality, 7
Reason, 38
Reembodiment, 17

Satan, 10

Science of minds, its

scope, definition and

methods, 7
Sensations, 25, 44
Souls, 8
Sound, 25
Space, 14, 24
Spirits, definition of, 8
Spontaneity of finite

minds, 13
Stars, 21
Sun, 22

INDEX

Thinking faculty, 8
Time, 14, 24
Troglodyte, 38

U

Unembodied state of finite
minds, 42

Universal, nature of, 3
Universe, 17, 19

Varieties, 20, 31, 33

W

Weight, 23
Will, 9

YR

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