38 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. 



is to be noted, however, that even if this physical basis, which we. 

 have before spoken of as a quantum x, should be discovered, and all 

 forms of habit through it be shown reducible to energies of contiguous 

 association : this would be no ultimate explanation ; it would be 

 merely to resolve one set of phenomena into another, which is to 

 explain neither the one nor the other ; it would be merely to employ 

 different words to express at bottom one and the same identical fact. 

 The need of belief in design would not be dispensed with, an appeal 

 to final causes would still be demanded by the number and co- 

 ordinated action of the facts of our nature concerned in the case, 

 explicable in no other way than this, unless regarded as a chance co- 

 incidence, in which explanation, however, the mind refuses to rest. 



Omitting now further discussion of our subject in its aspect as 

 related to association, we proceed to a brief exposition of the ultimate 

 results attained by those who have heretofore given it careful thought. 

 These writers we might in this aspect separate into two classes. 

 Those of one class attempt to set forth in express definitions the 

 main facts and principles of habit, and in this way would be very 

 explicit in their treatment. We shall find, however, that it is pre- 

 cisely these authorities, these who strive most to be definite in 

 exposition, who have really been the most inaccurate. The other 

 class, not professing to offer definitions as explanations, endeavor by 

 use of different forms of expression and the drawing of analogies, to 

 present a compi'ehensive and systematic view of the principles of 

 habit. Their expositions, however, are in all cases open to the 

 serious objection eitlier of vagueness, or of entire want of meaning. 



Wherever definition has been attempted, we find a striking amount 

 of agreement in the use of words. In these cases all the manifestations 

 of habit have appeared to be comprehended under the notions 

 '■'■facility" and ^'■impulsiveness." For example, Dr. J. D. Morell in 

 his " Mental Philosophy " takes the following ground : — In many 

 cases, even though volition be put forth, the desired movement of 

 muscle fails to follow, and in order to bring about the result aimed 

 at, no mere effort of volition is sufficient, a practical training is 

 required; and "when by such training new facility is acquired, the 

 power thus formed is termed the power of habit." Habit is thus 

 merely facility of bodily action acquired through exercise. Dr. Reid 

 too tells us : " Habit is commonly defined, a. facility of doing a thing 

 acquired by having done it frequently." But, conscious that the 



