Author : Daniel Greenleaf Thompson
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9781332491872
Total Pages : 628 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (918 download)
Book Synopsis A System of Psychology, Vol. 2 of 2 (Classic Reprint) by : Daniel Greenleaf Thompson
Download or read book A System of Psychology, Vol. 2 of 2 (Classic Reprint) written by Daniel Greenleaf Thompson and published by . This book was released on 2015-08-08 with total page 628 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Excerpt from A System of Psychology, Vol. 2 of 2 1. The development of volition in the individual consists in the development of the selective power to choose and steadily pursue ends, and in the formation of habits according to the selections made. It accomplishes a greater or less control of feelings, thoughts, and actions by means of, and in obedience to ends. An end is more than a motive. A motive is that which moves mental energy, considered merely as the cause which sets in motion; an end is that which is expected to satisfy energy. Ends are pleasures represented. Pains are motives, but never ends. 2. Of the exercise of the dynamic element in volition we have no consciousness, when it is unchecked and unimpeded. We are conscious of antecedents and of consequents, but of the movement of the power itself we know nothing intuitively. And yet this power lies at the foundation of mental existence. Thus the unconscious is the basis for the conscious. But as there is hindrance and opposition in the action of automatic power, there arise delay, selection, and the various forms of volitional consciousness. 3. We reduced all automatic activity to the two heads, Redintegration and Efferent Activity (Chap. XXXII. 36). The latter of these may be exercised without consciousness; and indeed, in the genesis of mind, existed before consciousness. The former process may also go on without consciousness, but it likewise exhibits the sphere of conscious activity. Within the course of redintegration lies the development of selective volition, and the exercise of this selective power gives a greater or less degree of control both over redintegration itself and efferent activity. 4. How is this control accomplished? I have already said by ends, that is, represented pleasures. On the intellectual side, then, is required construction. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
