OBJECT AND LIVING ORGANISM 119 



The concept of instinct covers, therefore, tacit recognition 

 of function as an independent factor in addition to the animal's 

 organisation. 



While the sense-schema biings rule and order into the per- 

 ceptions, the impulse-sequence, as creator of function, brings 

 rule and order into the actions. 



The difference between animals that learn through experi- 

 ence, such as human beings, and instinctive animals like birds 

 and insects, depends mainly on the latter having for their 

 functions inborn impulse-sequences which proceed faultlessly 

 without any further control. Intelligent animals require 

 schemata in order to form the correct functions and maintain 

 these by their control. 



Before every single action, even in the case of a human 

 being, the impulse-sequence for the function must be there 

 ready and prepared. When this begins to come into play, 

 the controlling schema strikes up along with it and at the same 

 rate, and so brings the functioning to our consciousness. We 

 are informed of every deviation from the normal function. 



Since in ourselves the functions undoubtedly have to be 

 learnt, we are apt to assume that they must somehow have 

 fixed themselves in the framework of the nervous connections 

 in the brain. And this might be the reason why we are not 

 conscious of them. 



This is an open question. It is of considerable import- 

 ance, because the answer to it means neither more nor less 

 than the recognition of non-physical natural factors in the 

 working of the body. 



I may admit that the entire world is appearance, and that 

 the things in it are composed of my sense-signs + schemata, 

 and yet this does not force me to assume that the forms of 

 movement observed in the world are directed by anything but 

 causality and the conformity with plan that resides in the 

 framework of implements. I am obliged, then, to assume also 



V 



