Le MeschaceÌbeÌ. [volume] ([Lucy] La.) 1853-1942, 1911-01-21
Communicated
Instinct Versus Reason.

4uoSc tWo niu POdCo al Q PioSCo &C OHIO
each other, aInstinct and Reason" No1
very long ago the writer had the op
portunity Of hearing the subject fully
discussed, and as appertaining to the
ahuman being as well as to the slower
animals.' do not wish to be posing as
one OF the know it. all kind, but, have
taken as guide extracts of eminent
writer's. Their opinions, on the subject
under consideration, in ny humble way
Of seeing) cannot but meet with general
appreciation. 1t has been the observa
ton Of those @eminsnt WRITER'S" name
unknown to correspondent that hu.
man being is not. In any proper sense, .
human being until he is educated
Thus his slumbering faculties are arous
ed. The magnificent displays of kaow
ledge dawn upon him as the morning
light brings fruitfulness to the earth,
Our first smovements- are of course
Random and Reflect acts.' The Ems
stinctive Movements" are distinct ad
vance on these, for they are accompanied
by @vague' form Of desire. They also
represent that @untaught ability which
loads young animals to perform those
actions which are essential to their
existence. With growing intelligence
the child comes more and more under
the afun sway of Reason" Dis
cipline at that stage must be recognized
as necessity and the reasonable ma.
ture of command is admitted. He is
now ready to stand alone, and to act as
full agent The boy at that stage Of
development, must be encouraged to
deliberate and reflect to practice self
control and to choose the better part.
Thus his slumbering faculties are awak.
ened and we have the Reasoning Pow
err inculcated.
Very young children answer smile
with smile, and look sorry when smother
or nurse' looks sorry. At that stage he
represents young animal, for all his
acts are aInstinctiye." Does it not con-
clusively show that the ahigher feelings"
are almost entirely wanting! But by
wise and careful training that aInstinc-
tive which predominates in the infant.
is, as age advances, SLOWLY but sure
ly' Transforming itself into Reasoning
Power SO essential Tin my opinion to
When We are called upon to define q
word, do we not seek to determine It's
qualities or markss Logicians
call this connotatlon Of the word. The
is practically what is called
the meaning of the word. In definition,
therefore, the meaning of word must
be thoroughly grasped before even at
tempting to frame out the definition of
any word. Must not Reasoning predo-
inmate in the individual being in order
to be able to distinguish the right mean
ing or derivation! Let US, as further
PROFOUND the following ques-
lion. (taking the law Of God as a living
Why is 4Man' far superior to
The sLower animals? The answer must
be that the former is guided
BY Reason whilst the latter have only
instinct as their only salvation. There
g not the least doubt in my mind that
he .human race Cat its earliest stages
II development is, and smust be- guild
ID by sInstinct," but that AInstinctive
Power can (by careful training) be
into that one Essential fac
or known as Reasoning Power which
'cts as the only shield or protection to
human Life. On it's other hand, let us
AXE sInstinct" in the slower animals"
Jan it be improved upon 7 1t certainly
an, for in young animals that natural
orn .Instinct,' known a. auntaught
biity' needs only experience in order
D protect them through life. That sIn.
tinctive Power" which is innate in the
lower animals' does not need any sspe
ial training except the one instilled by
be sAn wise and Bene6cent God"
Why then should the word sInstinct'
e as appertaining to the .human being
> wen as to the slower animals instead |
{ sReason,' when, there is such q vast
ange Of difference 7 An exchange of
ieas with some Of our present civic in.
tructors, viii be greatly appreciated.
NJ. CHARPENTIER.