As a rule _consciousness_ itself is understood to be the general sensorium and highest ruling centre; albeit, it is only a _means of communication:_ it was developed by intercourse, and with a view to the interests of intercourse.... "Intercourse" is understood, here, as "relation," and is intended to cover the action of the outer world upon us and our necessary response to it, as also our actual influence _upon_ the outer world. It is _not_ the conducting force, but an _organ of the latter._ 525. My principle, compressed into a formula which savours of antiquity, of Christianity, Scholasticism, and other kinds of musk: in the concept, "God is _spirit,_" God as perfection is "_denied...._" 526. Wherever people have observed a certain unity in the grouping of things, _spirit_ has always been regarded as the cause of this co-ordination: an assumption for which reasons are entirely lacking. Why should the idea of a complex fact be one of the conditions of that fact? Or why should the _notion_ of a complex fact have to precede it as its cause? We must be on our guard against explaining _finality_ by the spirit: there is absolutely no reason whatever for ascribing to spirit the peculiar power of organising and systematising. The domain of the nervous system is much more extensive: the realm of consciousness is superadded. In the collective process of adaptation and systematising, consciousness plays no part at all. 527. Physiologists, like philosophers, believe that consciousness increases in _value_ in proportion as it _gains_ in clearness: the most lucid consciousness and the most logical and impassive thought are of the _first_ order. Meanwhile--according to what standard is this value determined?--In regard to the _discharge of will-power_ the most superficial and _most simple_ thought is the most useful--it might therefore, etc. etc. (because it leaves few motives over). _Precision in action_ is opposed to the _far-sighted_ and often uncertain judgments of _caution:_ the latter is led by the _deeper_ instinct. 528. _The chief error of psychologists:_ they regard the indistinct idea as of a lower _kind_ than the distinct; but that which keeps at a distance from our consciousness and which is therefore _obscure, may_ on that very account be quite clear in itself. _The fact that a thing becomes obscure_ is a question _of the perspective of consciousness._ 529. The great misapprehensions:-- (1) The senseless _overestimation of consciousness,_ its elevation to the dignity of an entity: "a spirit," "a soul," something that feels, thinks, and wills; (2) The spirit regarded as a _cause,_ especially where finality, system, and co-ordination appear; (3) Consciousness classed as the highest form attainable, as the most superior kind of being, as "God"; (4) Will introduced wherever effects are observed; (5) The "real world" regarded as the spiritual world, accessible by means of the facts of consciousness;