The Springs of Conduct

Abstract

THIS is a thoughtful and extremely well-written little book on psychology and ethics, regarded from the standpoint of evolution. There is not much in it that is strikingly original; but the material is so well arranged, and the views so lucidly expressed, that the work constitutes a most interesting epitome of modern thought upon the subjects of which it treats. The author is a man well informed as to his facts, while his ability as an analyst may be remembered by the readers of this journal, in the pages of which it was well displayed a year or two ago in a criticism upon the work of the present writer. On that occasion Mr. Moigan took exception to the study of animal intelligence and mental evolution in animals, on the ground that it is impossible to obtain any verified knowledge of the psychology of brutes, seeing that we cannot directly interrogate them upon the nature of their feelings or mental states. The discussion which followed appears to have had the effect of somewhat modifying his original views; for these, as now stated in his book, are not so severely sceptical as they were when stated in these columns. That is to say, he now appears to recognise the possibility of comparative psychology as a science, although its subject-matter is necessarily restricted by the inadequacy of our “ejective” knowledge of animal intelligence.

The Springs of Conduct; an Essay in Evolution.

By C. Lloyd Morgan. (London: Kegan Paul, Trench, and Co., 1885.)