CHAPTER IV.. The Relation of Man to Nature.

THE RELATION OF MAN TO NATURE.

The two extreme views in this regard--They are views from different points, psychical and material--The latter very productive in modern times--But many fear the final effect-- Reconciliation is possible--Scientific materialism has two branches--Physiological branch explained--Conclusion-- Answer--Relation of psychic to brain changes is inscrutable --The mystery illustrated--Outside and inside view-- Different from other phenomena in this regard 304

Evolution branch--Close relation of man to animals--Therefore must extend immortal spirit to animals--to plants--to all existence, and thus identify immortality with conservation of force--Embryonic series--Where did spirit enter?-- Evolution series--Where did spirit enter?--Answer-- Derived from Nature--The true view of origin stated--Show that it is not in discord with other phenomena of evolution --The five planes of matter and of force--The change from one to another not gradual now nor in the evolution of natural forces--Consecutive births into higher forms--Every step of these changes taking place now--Relation of these facts to immortality--The process briefly stated--Omnipresent divine energy individuated to separate entity in man--Anima of animals is spirit in embryo--Came to birth in man-- Illustrated in other ways--(1) By more or less completed water-drop--(2) By submergence and emergence--(3) By planet birth--(4) By physical birth--(5) By grades of organic individuality--(6) By the body as an instrument of communication between two worlds--Self-consciousness the sign of spirit-individuality--Any animal conscious of self would be immortal--Similar changes in passing from animals to man in all other departments of psychic activity--Objection that other changes of energy not permanent; answered--Our view of origin compared with alternative views--Plato’s view-- Orthodox view 311

Some general conclusions--(1) Two series of changes, brain-changes and mind-changes--The initiative in animals --In man--(2) Justification of term “vital principle” --Becomes entity in man--(3) This view is a complete reconciliation of realism and nominalism--(4) No meaning in Nature without spirit--And no meaning in geological history without derivative origin of spirit--Material evolution finds its goal in man, psychic evolution in the divine man 327