by Hugo Lj. Odhner
In stating that the natural mind of man is being formed in the organics of the natural body, it is well to define what the natural mind is. As generally used in the Writings, it means the mind with which man is furnished for his life in the natural world. This does not imply that it may not also be of use after death; especially since only those who are admitted into heaven have any other degree of the mind opened. Nor does it imply that the whole of the natural mind is used consciously and deliberately by man in this world. The New Church doctrine emphasizes that each degree of the mind consists of two essentials—a will and an understanding. Man’s consciousness dwells in the understanding belonging to the natural degree, and he becomes aware of the contents of his will only so far as it becomes manifested by gradual stages in his understanding. Thus the will—so far as it is not conjoined with his understanding—is unconscious. This is a provision of Divine mercy. For man cannot be held responsible for something of which he is not conscious; and the native will is so filled with inherited evils that it is totally corrupt.
by Joel Pitcairn
This book is a collection of essays on the history and philosophy of science by an eminent astrophysicist who is now Professor of History and Philosophy of Science at University College, London. The book is divided into two sections: Historical Essays (9), and Philosophical Essays (10). All have been selected by the author from his previous writings and lectures. In his Preface, Professor Dingle says: “The order of the chapters is not chronological, nor is there usually any direct connecting link between one chapter and the next. The unity of the book is to be found in its viewpoint, and such value as it may have arises from the degree to which it succeeds in making the advantages of that viewpoint clear.”