“We have been much interested in the decisive definiteness with which our friends on that plane have been able to classify the purposes of persons here,” Mr. Kendal mentioned. “Is this as clear to you as physical characteristics are to us, and as quickly determined?” “Yes, and in much the same way. We see motive and intention and their variations as you see physical appearance, vitality and its variations. We see disintegrating moral factors more clearly than you see physical ills. We judge of purpose by its vitality and persistence under strain, precisely as you judge of physical health by its vitality under strain and by its persistence in spite of occasional disease.” “Then you see disintegrating force as the scientist sees germs?” Cass inquired. “As disease?” “No, we see them as foes. I speak here only of the way we judge purpose. There is no diseased purpose. There may be struggle between more or less intelligent forces, but in using the simile of physical health, I did it in a limited sense.” “Is there an inherent reason for the different types of philosophies?” Mr. Kendal now questioned. “That is, the Nirvana-oblivion type in the Orient, as contrasted with the hell-fire-and-brimstone type in the Occident. If inherent, is its cause geographical, intellectual, biological, or what?” “A little of all of them. Philosophies are the outgrowth of conditions, physical, moral and geographical—and therefore to some extent biological—to a much greater degree than is generally recognized. It has been said that food makes the man. To a greater degree, environment makes the philosopher.” “May we publish this as coming from you?” “Certainly. I am here for that purpose.... Light and Progress are my purposes, and teaching still my work.” After a few lines of purely personal significance, this was signed: “William James.” XIV Of the messages that may be quoted, there remain only a few detached statements, removed from their personal context, but reproduced because of their general interest or significance. “Don’t worry about C——” was one bit of specific advice, given in March, before any of the Lessons had been received. “She will have her troubles, but she must dree her own weird. You might save her some pain, but life’s purpose may not be taught. It must be fought for, with blood and sweat. Let C—— get her wounds in her own way. You may then soothe the pain. But don’t try to spare her the fight. That has to do with the larger questions of life and eternity.” “‘Life’s purpose may not be taught,’ but the laws underlying the search for it may be?” “Of course. We are trying now to wake the world to consciousness that these laws exist. Most people, broadly speaking, have forgotten them, in the general contempt for laws where they are not enforced, and in the general hatred of them where they are enforced in oppression and fear.”