CHAPTER V 



INDIVIDUALITY 



The facts which show clearly the simple individual im- 

 pulses and motives, and the immediate consequence in bene- 

 fit or loss, of the conduct of creatures of primitive type, 

 have their parallels in the fundamental life action of higher 

 animals. It is true of man, as of the lowest creatures, that 

 to continue existence he must procure and absorb food, 

 and in doing so must exercise proper care for its suitability. 

 Just as the shell fish would suffer for an error in this 

 regard, so would the man suffer. For the shell fish this 

 may be nearly the whole business of his life, and the chief 

 of his impulses; and may thus inspire nearly all of his con- 

 duct, while for the man it may be but one motive among 

 a thousand others ; yet it is evident that the addition of all 

 the other motives has not lessened the force of this primitive 

 one. It is almost surprising that the most advanced in- 

 tellectual life is still so thoroughly subject in such an un- 

 mitigated way to this early obligation of animalism, and to 

 others as imperative, which the philosopher still shares with 

 the frog. It becomes apparent that the direct personal 

 responsibility; the opportunities to profit, and the liabilities 

 to suffer, by individual action, remain unavoidable factors 

 of conduct, even when a complex system of other action 

 has been added. 



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