CHAPTER IX



Remarks upon Von Hartmann's position in regard to instinct.

Uncertain how far the foregoing chapter is not better left without
comment of any kind, I nevertheless think that some of my readers may
be helped by the following extracts from the notes I took while
translating. I will give them as they come, without throwing them
into connected form.


Von Hartmann defines instinct as action done with a purpose, but
without consciousness of purpose.

The building of her nest by a bird is an instinctive action; it is
done with a purpose, but it is arbitrary to say that the bird has no
knowledge of that purpose. Some hold that birds when they are
building their nest know as well that they mean to bring up a family
in it as a young married couple do when they build themselves a
house. This is the conclusion which would be come to by a plain
person on a prima facie view of the facts, and Von Hartmann shows no
reason for modifying it.

A better definition of instinct would be that it is inherited
knowledge in respect of certain facts, and of the most suitable
manner in which to deal with them.