Impulses. 2 1 3 



animal, man has precisely the same instincts, in 

 kind, as other animals ; and to the number and de- 

 gree, that he needs them, according to the same 

 principle, which we have found to prevail among 

 the lower animals. We have found Instinct to be 

 simply a method of action, involving impulse to per- 

 form the act, and knowledge and skill enough, with- 

 out experience, to supplement a parent's care. We 

 have found that nature gives just as Httle Instinct 

 as possible everywhere; and leaves as much to ex- 

 perience as possible, without endangering the loss 

 of the species. If she gives more instinctive knowl- 

 edge to the young of any kind, it is because she 

 gives less to the parent ; giving most of all to those 

 young, which never know a parent's care. Now, 

 applying these principles rigidly to man, as an ani- 

 mal, we should expect him to possess animal in- 

 stincts, mainly as impulses. We should expect him 

 to have little of instinctive knowledge or skill, be- 

 cause the parent is able to supply both, and has 

 the natural affection, or instinctive love, to ensure 

 the proper action, or the best action according to 

 her judgment. She is guided mainly, by experi- 

 ence. Instinct never gives her perfect knowledge 

 and skill, as it sometimes does the lower animals. 

 The whole machinery of man's nature, is so ar- 

 ranged that observation and study have always been 

 demanded, and always will be demanded. While the 

 instincts of the child and parent commence in im- 

 pulses, just as they do in all other animals, the 

 knowledge and skill are left to be acquired. And 

 this knowledge can be increased, from generation 



