CHAPTER IV 



RELATION TO ANIMATE NATURE 



The study of the relations between an individual and 

 his animate surroundings, shows him involved in a com- 

 plex of restraints, yet still impelled by legitimate self-inter- 

 est as a fundamental motive. Conduct which provokes the 

 anger of associates is bad conduct because it is inexpedient 

 and conversely conduct which meets with general approval 

 is good conduct because it promotes success. 



Animal existence is and must be maintained in contact 

 with animate nature as well as with inanimate. Animal 

 life depends for sustenance upon organic material and 

 food, and even the vegetable creation compels a view of, and 

 regard for, its community in character, different from those 

 due to inorganic matter and the so called elements. But 

 being without volition vegetable life is still almost passive 

 under the action of the animal, and although responsive, its 

 response involves him in no duties such as his fellow beings 

 impose. The share which these forces take in man's en- 

 vironment may amount to hostility but not to rivalry. 



It is different in regard to other animals. An animal, 

 whether human or brute, is confronted by others of his own 

 kind, and by still more of other kinds, and their action to- 

 ward him is not passive. They evince desires as he does; 



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