Birmingham state herald., 1896-03-15

unfolding and developing with it, no one at present will doubt; and that the brain | is the center of this system is equally admitted by all Now, recent inyestiga- tons have established as an axiom that: The uniform correlation of brain states with metal states is a law of nature"
 The nervous system, for the sake of convenience, is reduced to three general divisions.
 The different nerves are those leading from the organs of sense perception to the brain. The organs of sense percep- ton, such as the eye, ear etc, are only so many imperfect telephones into which the outside world speaks, and each or gan takes up but part of what is said. | The different nerve fbers transmit these impressions to the cortex of the brain, where the brain cells are as many more telephones, at which the mind listens to the far-off call Now, these stimuli poured into the brain cells cause what is known as sensations, but these physical sensations awaken in the mind at the same instant mental cognitios of these same instant mental cognitions of these call conscious perceptS, and two or more percepts of the same object by different senses enable the mind to know the ob- ject as a whole. This we call an idea. To illustrate, we see an object, feel it., taste 1t and thereby gain the idea of ap- pie.
 But these ideas give rise to certain feelings or desires in the mind, and in order to obtain the object desired, the stimuli which was poured into the brain or organs of central direction, are dis charged by these organs into the efferent nerves, or the nerve f1bers leading from the brain out to the muscles and caus- ing bodily activities. This is will. Will is, therefore the sequential resultant of knowledge and feeling, and it's only vis- ible expressions are bodily activities.
 If we desire thing or condition which we know is unattainable, we sim ply wish; but if we believe that the de- sired end is attainable, we will that the desire may become real, and to this end the bodily activities are directed. Now, while the motor discharge which caused the bodily activities was first caused by sense perceptions, 1t is a well-known fact that subsequent mental reproduction or these perceptions are sufficient to create the same cerebral conditions and the same resultant motor discharge through the old channels of sense perceptions, thus wearing those channels deeper and deeper and fixing the habits of life from which it Is so hard to break away Tn after years.
 When the motor discharge causing the bodily movements follows immediately upon the formation of the idea, we have what is known as idio-motor will. In this case we simply think the act and 1t is done.
 You see a pencil on your desk; with this knowledge comes the desire to have if. and instantly the hand reaches out and gets it. But the more important type of will is the reasonable type. in this case the act does not Immediately follow the idea but the mind dellberates and reasons. An idea presents itseH to the mind, but before the will can issue its edict touching off the motor discharge a. second idea springs up with counter claim Each now brings up its train or evidence before the court or reason; ana while the mind deliberates the motor current is held in check by the counter current like the meeting of two rivers. Rut finally the evidence Is all in; reason decides, will issues its mandate and the corresponding motor current leaps forth to execute the order. Whatsoever the decision may be, it is evidently case of pure willingness; for can will to sit still still, as well as to rise.
 Nor can I evolve out of my own con scious experience single case of yolun- tary willing except as the result or motive.
 I believe. therefore, that will is in ev- cry case the obedient servant of the mo- tive It follows then. that will culture is simply moral culture, and that Herbart was right when he said that there was no moral culture outside the domain Of voluntary will -.
 From this it follows, then, that proper will culture consists in presenting to the attention proper motives and holdlne them there by means of the interest which they may be made to awaken, un- fiji they become fixed principles of con duct or habitual incentives to Vontlonai activity
 Dr. Phillips was pleased with the treat ment of the subject, but asked when ana where nervous energy was transiormeu into mental Our consciousness tells us that our mental action is something apart from the mere manifestation of nervous energy. He said 1t was well to thoroughly understand the mechanism and functions of the brain and nerves but that in itself could not fully explain the phenomena of mind and spirit. Just here is the great dividing line between the two great theories of the mind; one claiming that all knowledge is derived from experiences the other that While the greater part of knowledge Is so de- rived. yet there are certain fundamental ideas which antedate all experience and which are transcendental in their nature. Herbart. it will be seen, belongs to the first class and therefore in his treatment of the will leaves no place for it's self determining power. He begins with ideas. which, by their action and inter- action. produce feelings. Feelings in ac- ton give rise to desire; desire in action becomes will. In determining methods of culture much depends upon the nature of the will
 Professor Cunningham read from Lind ner an exposition of the Herbartian doc urine. He objected to the absolute free dom of the will and claimed that it's pow CT of choice was restricted to it's environ ment. He further developed the idea that. though Herbart may be wrong, yet the only true method of will culture Is through an appeal to motive. The trans cendentalist will grant this.
 The next regular meeting of the club will be at the high school building Tues day, March 17. at o'clock. Prof J. c. DuBose will read a paper on "Causa- tion." after which the topic will be dis cussed by the club. The meetings are oman and visitors are welcomed