Presidential address at the opening of the third session, Nov. 2, 1876 / by Mr. Serjeant Cox.
- Edward William Cox
- Date:
- 1876
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Presidential address at the opening of the third session, Nov. 2, 1876 / by Mr. Serjeant Cox. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.
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![of the Aryans,” which introduced us to some knowledge of our science as it was held by the most ancient races of the world, and faithfully transmitted to their descen- dants,—our fellow citizens in our Indian Empire. An animated and deeply interesting discussion was promoted by a paper on “ Comparison of the Mental Faculties of Men and Animals,” a question which, if followed out, can- not fail to throw great light on mental physiology generally. Mr. Wake contributed a paper on “ Consciousness,” which exhibited throughout evidence of the profoundest thought on one of the most difficult and controverted questions that has engaged philosophy. Consciousness is the point at which Psychology comes into direct conflict with Materialism, and the phenomenon which the Materia- lists themselves are compelled to admit completely baffles them. They can, it seems, digest the notion of thought being secreted from matter, but how matter can be con- scious of itself perplexes them still, as ever it will do. The problem, indeed, cannot be solved without the admission of Soul as a part of the Mechanism of Man. Again Mr. Harris, in a well-reasoned paper, considered the objections made to psychological phenomena and very completely disposed of them. In another paper he brought under the consideration of the Society the alleged phenomena of “ Apparitions,” but time did not admit of its full discussion, and the subject will probably be renewed during the present Session. There is indeed much to be said on both sides. Lastly, the Society honoured myself with admirable debates on three important psychological questions, which I ventured to submit to the members, namely: “ Matter and Spirit,” “The Psychology of Wit and Humour,” and “ The Psychology of Memory and Recollection.” This will be admitted to be a goodly list for so youthful a Society as ours. But I hope it is only a foretaste of the material that will be provided in this and future Sessions towards the advancement of the grandest Science which [l 50]](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b22443915_0006.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
