Meaning: The quote by Samuel Alexander, a renowned philosopher, delves into the nature of mental life and the primary focus of psychology. In this quote, Alexander emphasizes the intricate and varied forms that attention and conation (the aspect of mental processes that impels an individual to act) take at different levels of mental life. This quote encapsulates the essence of the study of psychology and the complex nature of human cognition and behavior.

Alexander's assertion that "the nature of mental life" is a key starting point in understanding the quote. Mental life encompasses the totality of an individual's cognitive, emotional, and behavioral processes. It encompasses the conscious and unconscious aspects of the mind, including perception, memory, reasoning, and emotions. The quote suggests that the study of psychology is deeply rooted in the exploration of these mental processes and their manifestations.

The term "attention" refers to the cognitive process of selectively concentrating on a particular aspect of the environment while ignoring other stimuli. It involves the allocation of cognitive resources to process specific information and is crucial for various cognitive tasks such as learning, problem-solving, and decision-making. The quote implies that psychology is concerned with examining the diverse forms and mechanisms of attention across different levels of mental life. This can encompass studying how attention operates in various contexts, such as during focused tasks, in divided attention scenarios, or under the influence of emotional states.

Moreover, the quote references "conation," a term used in psychology to describe the mental processes that initiate, direct, and sustain goal-directed behavior. Conation encompasses the desires, drives, and volitional aspects of behavior, shedding light on the motivational and intentional dimensions of human actions. Alexander's emphasis on the various forms of conation at different levels of mental life suggests that psychology aims to comprehensively understand the motivational and behavioral dynamics that underpin human actions.

The quote also highlights the idea that mental life operates on different levels. This could allude to the hierarchical organization of cognitive processes, ranging from basic sensory perception to higher-order cognitive functions such as reasoning and self-regulation. Psychology seeks to delineate the complexities of mental life by examining how attention and conation operate across these diverse levels, encompassing both the conscious and unconscious aspects of mental functioning.

In essence, Alexander's quote encapsulates the core mission of psychology, which is to intricately describe the multifaceted forms of attention and conation across the diverse levels of mental life. It underscores the intricate nature of human cognition and behavior and the imperative role of psychology in unraveling the complexities of the mind.

In conclusion, Samuel Alexander's quote underscores the foundational principles of psychology, emphasizing the intricate nature of mental life and the nuanced forms that attention and conation assume across different levels of cognitive functioning. It underscores the pivotal role of psychology in meticulously describing these phenomena and elucidating the complexities of human cognition and behavior. This quote serves as a reminder of the profound and multifaceted nature of mental life and the enduring quest of psychology to unravel its intricacies.