ABSTRACT
Reflex action being the lowest form of psychical life, is, by implication, that which is most nearly related to the physical life—that in which the people see the incipient differentiation of the psychical from the physical life. Moreover, the various viscera, performing each its separate function, must have their relative activities adjusted-the several processes in the maintenance of which the physical life consists, must be harmonized; and it is held that the due balancing of them is effected by reflex action. Other reflex actions of which the people can take direct cognizance-as that of breathing-can go on without our thinking of them. It would, however, be alike needless and out of place to examine the varieties and complications of reflex action; to do which is the task of the physiologist rather than of the psychologist. Here it simply concerns the reader to note the bearing of the phenomena of reflex action upon the general argument.
