Because individual atoms are far too small to observe, basic chemistry uses quantities of elements. Element A, in quantity, is combined with Element B, in quantity, to make Compound M, a quantity of the molecule that results from combining A with B.
Observation follows the experiment, and conclusions are then drawn.
What if we observe the combinations of elements and molecules which come to life as microscopic organisms? What do we see AFTER they come to life? What conclusions can we draw based on what we see?
We see these simple organisms thriving. They don’t have brains, but must an organism have a brain to know things. Obviously not, plants don’t have brains and they know where the sun is when it’s shining.
Whatever personal faculties a plant has is distributed across its whole being, and this is of supreme advantage to an immobile organism. Working from the idea that personality is structured as, intellect, emotion and volition, do we see this personality structure in the most simple of organisms? Objective reality can only be determined by observation, so let’s take a look.
Our simple organism is some manner of microscopic plant. It depends on sunlight for its life. We see it, knowing light (photosynthesis) from dark (starvation). We see in its behavior an affinity for advantageous things such as light and water alongside a marked dislike for dryness, darkness and anything predatory. And, we observe volition as a determination to thrive by pursuing life goals. Speech it may not have, but knowledge, affinity and determination abound.
No organism operates at the minimum level of survival, living beings thrive. This is in the nature of things, because personality operates in organisms to spur thriving on, not simply to survive.
For assemblies of atoms and molecules to come to life and thrive a rudimentary form of personality must animate their being. The nature of personality and its relationship to the physical aspect of being is far outside the scope of this brief, but it’s safe to conclude that, as an organizing principle, personality is fundamental to biological life.
Thomas Laperriere 11/18/2025 – First Post for newpersonalism.com
“We cannot then overestimate the importance of science in its own field. But in all this science is only descriptive, not truly explanatory. For final insight and explanations we must pass into the philosophical field of causality and meaning. Both questions must be asked and answered for the full satisfaction of the reason. Neither question has yet been fully answered, but by keeping them distinct, and seeing the equal legitimacy of both, science and philosophy may dwell together in peace.”