It will thus be seen that another interpretation might easily be placed upon the observed facts, and that, while the latter are accepted without question, it is yet possible to conceive the relationship as quite other than usually imagined; and consequently of life as an energy independent of the food supply,[17] and outside the law of conservation--a force absolutely distinct, separate, _per se_. M. Bergson has gone so far as to speak of life as a "power," as a "vital impetus"--utilizing matter for the purposes of its manifestation, etc. I have merely extended this conception in what appears to me a logical and necessary direction. It appears to me certain that life is a sentient power--different from any other mode of energy of which we have any knowledge, and as such no longer subject to the objections raised earlier in this paper (to other conceptions of life), which might also be advanced, it seems to me, against M. Bergson's theory. Were the theory of life here defended true, it would not only enable us to account for life in a satisfactory manner, but it would render clear many obscure and sporadic phenomena which the current theories are quite incapable of explaining (and hence often ignore!); and it would also practically assure us continuity of life beyond the grave--after the dissolution of the body--because mind and consciousness are shown to be independent of physical energy, even in _this_ life! This, however, is a subject which requires special and lengthy treatment, and I cannot touch upon it now. All that I can aim to do at present is to show that there may be a spiritual source even for our _physical_ life and energy here. And, were this true, psychic phenomena might readily be accounted for--since there would no longer remain any valid objection to their occurrence. FOOTNOTES: [13] The orthodox, scientific theory. [14] See _Mind Energy_, chapters 1 and 2. This view has also been adopted by Mr. W. Whately Smith (see his _Theory of the Mechanism of Survival_) where he says (p. 114): "This latter (the transmissive theory) is the view held by M. Bergson, by Mr. Carrington and by myself." [15] It might be contended that life is an _intelligent_ force--both a physical energy and intelligence; but if that were the case we should simply have energy _plus_ something, and the "plus something" would constitute the whole mystery. We should be no better off than we were before. All the energies known to us are certainly non-intelligent, and if you superimpose anything else on the energy you at once differentiate it from all other energies--which you are not entitled to do (see below). [16] See my _Vitality, Fasting and Nutrition_, pp. 225-350.