CHAPTER X 



INSTINCT 



I. General Usage of the Term — 2. Careful Usage of the Term — 

 3. Examples of Instinct — 4. The Origin of Instinct 



In considering the mental life of animals, we must settle 

 how far it is comparable to that of man. We judge of the 

 mental processes of human beings, other than ourselves, 

 from their actions ; and we can only do the same when 

 dealing with animals. If we often err in inferring the 

 mental states of our fellow-men, how much more are we liable 

 to error when we are considering creatures different from 

 ourselves. Still, believing as we do in the continuity of 

 life, both objective and subjective, by careful proceeding it 

 is probable that in time we may arrive at a certain state 

 of precision and exactness in comparative psychology. 



Since the idea that is formed of the world is gained 

 entirely from sensations, the world of every creature must 

 be largely constructed from its dominant sense ; in a dog, 

 for instance, from scent. 



In common speech the actions of animals are all ascribed 

 to instinct. The notion which underlies the term is, that 

 while the actions of men are determined by reason, those of 

 animals are prompted by a blind power of doing that which 

 is fitted to the successful conduct of their lives. This, as 

 we shall see, is a notion that requires modification. 



I. General Usage of the term Instinct. — Every one has 

 a general notion of what is meant by instinct, but few are 



