272 Habit and Instinct. 



evolution of the individual ; granting that its method is 

 that of areal selection_in virtue, x>f a felt congruity with 

 the mental nature of the individual that exercises its 



power of choice ; we have next to note that the choice 

 primarily and in the first instance depends on innate 

 proclivities. In the growth of experience association plays 

 an important part. It serves to link together the data 

 given in experience. But the value of the data is inde- 

 pendent of association. In the utilization jiiLfisnerience, 

 choice and control come into operation. But the value 

 of the data for consciousness is rath er the co ndition, 

 than the product, of choice. What shall be chosen and 

 what rejected depends upon the nature of the individual 

 consciousness. So far as the individual is concerned we 

 must just accept the fact that it likes some things and 

 dislikes others. As a matter of observation, it tends, on 

 the whole, to like what is good for it and dislike what is 

 bad for it. How these likes and dislike* -have been 

 ingraiaed' in the individual nature, so as to constitute 

 innate proclivities, is no doubt partially explained by the 

 obvious fact that the animal which is led by its likes and 

 dislikes to better organic adjustment to his normal sur- 

 roundings will survive to procreate his kind; while the 

 animal which is led thereby to maladjustment, will be 

 hurried to his own destruction.* The latter will perish, 

 and with him will go his fatal proclivities ; while the 

 survival of JUS ™nr& happ i ly constitute d neigh honr will 

 lead to the survival of that neighbour's more favourable 

 lik es and dislikes, which, by constant repetition of this 

 process, will become hereditary and innate. 



TVTp ffirftfifinn iV- nli'nli f hff IJkeR and (H slikfiR tend to 



set in the course of mental evolution is thus determined 



* It is probably to tbe comparative absence of natural selection among 

 civilized races tbat the continuauce of such types as the drunkard is due. 



