M. Frederic Cuvier's Theory of Habit/ 173 



involuntary habit of closing the eyelid. This action does not 

 appear to be instinctive, as new born children do not close the 

 eyelid till experience indicates the necessity of so doing. There 

 appears to be an obscure degree of freedom in this act, proba- 

 bly forming one of the beginnings of Human Rational Freedom ; 

 for were the mere utility of protecting the eye from the over- 

 powering effects of light, by alternations of shade, to be alone 

 considered, the action might as well have been instinctive as ha- 

 bitual. The fact however supplies an important demonstration 

 that the essential cause, both in habit and instinct, is intelligent : 

 notwithstanding the difference with respect to consciousness. 

 Some actions of habit may be considered as partaking of the 

 nature both of voluntary and involuntary actions. Thus while 

 the motions of attitude are voluntary ; the grace of the motions, 

 if habitual, is involuntary, although acquired by intelligence. In 

 this, as in other cases, the final cause requires that such actions 

 should not, in man, be instinctive ; in order that they may thus be 

 made objective to his mind. To effect this, although his intellectual 

 power gradually approaches nearer and assimilates itself to the 

 form of an active power, the act is nevertheless done in freedom ; 

 by the aid of reflection, which, as we have said, is but an attribute 

 of the operation of Free Intelligence. The progressive formation of 

 Habit is itself a proof that a mode of Intelligence is the efficient 

 cause in the actions which are its products. 



[To be continued.'] 



