1877.] ORIGIN OF THE WILL. 441 
probably only possible to the human species. These have been 
above defined as those in which the pleasure of the object, as dis- 
tinct from, and therefore opposed to that of the subject, is the de- 
sign of the act. This definition excludes acts for the benefit of 
others, in which the actor is also gratified, since the motive may 
be in that case the pleasure of the subject. No doubt, many 
generous acts are of this character, but they were not such the 
first time they were performed, since experience of their pleasur- 
able character had not.then been acquired, and the evidence of all 
dast experience was of a diametrically opposite character. In 
other words, the motives already organized in the mind of the sub- 
ject, were all in favor of the subject. The laws of evolution render 
the introduction of a new element of character at this point abso- 
lutely necessary. It is well known that the development of mind, 
and through it of all the acts of the first or appetent class, has been 
due to the pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain on the part 
of the subject. The pursuit of an opposite course, by animals 
whose pleasures and pains are those of the successful fulfillment 
of the necessary functions of life, or the reverse, would insure 
their speedy extinction. Their survival has been due to their 
prompt discrimination of favorable and unfavorable conditions 
through their sensibilities, and the human species, as the product 
of evolution, displays these sensibilities in their highest form. Un- 
der these circumstances it is obvious that since none but the in- 
herited motives, with refinements due to more complex circum- 
stances, can be found in his mind, that without the intervention of 
will, an altruistic act is impossible. 
It has also been pointed out that such can only be performed 
by a being capable of the highest state of consciousness, 2. é., self 
consciousness; in other words, by a being capable of recognizing 
its own mental states. Under such circumstances only can it dis- 
tinguish the mental states of a being apart from itself, towards 
whom the altruistic act is directed. 
It being then conceded that will is exhibited in certain human 
actions, it becomes important to determine, if possible, the condi- 
tions under which it appeared in the course of the evolution of 
man. 
Il]. THE ELEMENTS OF MIND. . 
Prior to considering the origin of states of mind, it is necessary 
to go over the well-trodden field of its original constitution. 
