CLXXX ADMINISTRATIVE RJIPORT [eth. ann. 20 



and jininial.s was called the limitatioii of species in ideas was 

 called iutuitidu, and by that term was meant the limitation of 

 certain specific ideas. It was recognized that ideas grow or de- 

 velop ill the individual, but it was denied that they develop in 

 the race. Sometimes it was conceded that ideas or concepts 

 grow phylogenetically, that is, they are developed in the i-ace; 

 but it was held that there are certain fixed limits to ideas or 

 notions which can not change, these limits being fixed primordi- 

 ally in the mind. Now, there have been many modifications ;tnd 

 many pliases of this doctrine which we can not here elaborate, 

 but that which is essential to all forms of the doctrine of specific 

 innate ideas has been set forth. 



We must now see how this doctrine is used to shore up 

 mythologv. 



Venerable errors are supposed or afhrmed to be universal 

 and also to be innate — that the notions which they involve 

 have been preserved from primordial time, and that they were 

 given to man at his creation when all species were created. 

 This doctrine of primordial specific innate ideas is one of the 

 most important tliemes of scholastic learning. Born in sav- 

 agery, flourishing in barbarism, it is believed in civilization, 

 and its exposition ultimately becomes one of the tests of schol- 

 arship. When the doctrine had reached this stage, so-called 

 philosophers or mythologists attempted to defend these pri- 

 mordial concepts. This attempt culminated in the Critique of 

 Pure Reason. This defense of mytludog}- by Kant led to the 

 usual result; he, or at least his followers, supposed the argu- 

 ment to be exhausted and the (j[uestion of innate ideas set at 

 rest when it was stated anew as innate forms of ideas. A 

 calmer generation discovered the incongruity of this doctrine 

 with the concepts of evolution liorn of science. While the 

 doctrine remained vague, these incongruities were not so 

 apparent; but when it came to be careful!}' formulated, it was 

 doomed It may be claimed that the doctrine of the evolution 

 of concepts by experience in the race as in the individual is 

 established. 



Primarily judgments are formed as guides to action. In 

 this hrst stage erroneous judgments are detected by the test 



