136 THE WHENCE AND THE WHITHER OF MAN 



ness plays a continually more important part. Still 

 the actions are controlled by hereditary tendency far 

 more than by the will of the individual. But in man 

 instinct has been almost entirely replaced by conscious, 

 voluntary, intelligent action. And yet in man, as rap- 

 idly as possible, actions which at first require conscious 

 effort become, through repetition and habit, reflex and 

 automatic. All our conscious effort and the energy of 

 the will, being no longer required for these oft-repeated 

 actions, are set free for higher attainments. The ter- 

 ritory which had to be conquered by hard battles has 

 become an integral part of the realm. It now hardly 

 requires even a garrison, but has become a source of 

 supplies for a new advance and march of conquest. 



But all this time we have been talking about action 

 and have not given a thought to the will. And we 

 have spoken as if conscious perception and intelligence 

 directly controlled will and action. But this is of 

 course incorrect. Will is practically power of choice. 

 You ask me whether I prefer this or that, and I answer 

 perhaps that I do not care. Until I " care " I shall 

 never choose. The perception must arouse some feel- 

 ing, if it is to result in choice. I see a diamond in the 

 road and think it is merely a piece of glass. I do not 

 stop. But as I am passing on, I remember that there 

 was a remarkable brilliancy in its flash. It must have 

 been, after all, a gem. My feelings are aroused. How 

 proud I shall feel to wear it. Or how much money I 

 can get for it. Or how glad the owner will be when it 

 is returned to her. I turn back and search eagerly. 

 Perception is necessary, but it is only the first step. 

 The perception must excite some feeling, if choice or 

 exertion of the will is to follow. This is a truism. 



