ABSTRACT
Nature of the mechanism - Its classes, material and intellectual. - Material system, or of vibrations. - The intellectual system most probable - From the consideration that thought would otherwise be a superfluity - From the established principles of reasoning from effects to causes. - Objections refuted. - Thoughts which produce animal motion may be - 1. Involuntary. All animal motions were first involuntary. - 2. Unattended with consciousness. - The mind cannot have more than one thought at any one time Objection to this assertion from the case of complex ideas - From various mental operations - As comparison - Apprehension - Rapidity of the succession of ideas. Application - Duration measured by consciousness. - 3. A distinct thought to each motion may be unnecessary. - Apparent from the complexity of sensible impressions. The mind always thinks. - Conclusion. - The theory applied to the phenomenon of walking - To the circulation of the blood. - Of motion in general. - Of dreams.
