138 Chapter VII. 



jective in the cognitive process of animals. The reason 

 for this fact is to be found in the end and purpose 

 of sense perceptions in animal life. It is to represent 

 to the animal's sensitive nature as subjectively agreeable 

 what is objectively suitable for the preservation of the 

 species, and, for the fulfilment of its natural destination ; 

 and to represent as subjectively disagreeable whatever 

 is objectively injurious. This result is obtained by ap- 

 perception; for the suitable disposition of the sensitive 

 powers of cognition and appetite which we call in- 

 stinct causes the perception of useful and convenient 

 objects to make an impression which is sensually 

 agreeable to the animal, and the perception of noxious 

 objects a disagreeable impression upon its sensitive 

 appetite. In man, however, whose sense perceptions 

 primarily subserve a higher spiritual cognition, the ob- 

 jective element prevails under normal conditions over 

 the subjective impression, even in his sense perceptions. 

 Daily experience enables us to observe this fact. When 

 we are in a bad humor we view everything through a 

 "smoked glass," because our subjective condition is 

 abnormal and diseased. Still the apperception, or the 

 subjective element of perceptions is, generally speaking, 

 subordinate in man to their objective element. But in 

 animals the very contrary happens, because the purpose 

 of their sensile power of perception demands it. Even 

 under normal conditions the subjective impression pre- 

 vails over the objective contents of the representation. 

 The sensitive consciousness of the animal is due to 

 apperception; indeed it is identical with the latter in its 

 activity. For the sensitive power of perception is un- 

 able to distinguish between the objective and the sub- 



