The Relation of Science and Religion.pdf - Online Christian Library

MAN'S PLACE IN THE WORLD. 265tions of animals with what we know menought to do. It is this question of ought whichappears as the outstanding and distinguishingfeature in human life, on which we are nowseeking to direct attention with all the concentrationwhich physiologists secure whenthe microscope is directed on brain tissue.The true feature here is elevation and complexityof intellectual action, and the possibilityof assigning this to brain action. The questionis no doubt concerned with conduct bothin the animal, and in man,-but what wewish to ascertain is, how far action or conductin the two cases throws light on the exerciseof intelligence possible to man and toanimal. It is admitted that to act on a lawof benevolence requires a higher exercise ofintelligence, than to act under a law of desireor sensitive impulse; and we wish to reachdefinite conclusions on two point's ; jfrst, andsubordinately, whether animals ever act onthe higher law; second, and chiefly, whethersuch action does not involve as its conditionan intellectual exercise of a higher order thancan be assigned to brain. The former ofthese questions, subordinate to the presentinquiry, may be left to naturalists. The sec-