44 PROCEEDINGS OP THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. 



serve all ordinary purposes, yet, as has already been evident, as a 

 scientific definition, it is not definite enough even where most 

 applicable ; and when regarded as a general apprehension, it is 

 fallacious. 



But still more than those instances which we have already men- 

 tioned, there are certain phases of the working of habit apparently 

 not hitherto noticed, whi6h render evident the essential defects in 

 the treatment and explanation offered. The phases referred to are 

 the following : — In relation to the will, the increased obedience of 

 our thinking and voluntary powers of mind and body, and at the 

 same time the increased resistance offered by another portion of our 

 nature, including our emotional and impulsive tendencies, whether 

 appetitive or instinctive. It is in reality just at this point that the 

 difficulties, to Reid and Stewart, appear insuperable ; but it is pre- 

 cisely here that, both for speculative and practical purposes, the 

 greatest need becomes felt of a true and comprehensive philosophy 

 of the facts. Our rational or thinking powers, as well as those 

 directly under control of the will — the perceptive and reasoning 

 faculties, the voluntary muscles — while their strength grows by 

 frequent exercise, become continually more prompt in submission to 

 the mandates of the will ; but on the other hand our affectional and 

 appetitive tendencies, by being indulged grow more and more un- 

 governable by the will acting under the law of reason. Fear, lust, 

 anger, for example, may be cultivated until they become absolute 

 rulers of the individual, until under them one loses all power of 

 rational action, being tossed about hither and thither, like a cork 

 upon the waves, by forces over which he cannot exercise the least 

 control. This forfeiture of libei'ty, due to procedure along certain 

 lines of habit, is something that demands the student's careful con- 

 sideration. It is fraught with lessons of immense practical import- 

 ance, and a thorough understanding of its conditions is necessary ; 

 but it is in vain to look for light to the history of psychological and 

 ethical speculation. We are taught by Holy Writ in many ways 

 that whoso committeth sin enslaveth himself, but philosophy has 

 nowhere yet comprehensively seized upon this great fact. 



A leview of the phenomena resulting from the law of habit has 

 now been given sufficient to show how inadequate the Inductive 

 Method of philosophy as laid down by Lord Bacon must prove for 

 pur])0ses of explanation, so long as our knowledge of the facts pos- 



