In short, Mr. Burroughs's homocentric theory has
been developed out of his homocentric ego, and by the misuse of
language he strives to make the facts of life agree with his theory.
After the instances I have cited of actions of animals which are
impossible of explanation as due to instinct, Mr. Burroughs may
reply: "Your instances are easily explained by the simple law of
association." To this I reply, first, then why did you deny
rudimentary reason to animals? and why did you state flatly that
"instinct suffices for the animals"? And, second, with great
reluctance and with overwhelming humility, because of my youth, I
suggest that you do not know exactly what you do mean by that phrase
"the simple law of association." Your trouble, I repeat, is with
definitions. You have grasped that man performs what is called
ABSTRACT reasoning, you have made a definition of abstract reason,
and, betrayed by that great maker of theories, the ego, you have come
to think that all reasoning is abstract and that what is not abstract
reason is not reason at all.
Pages:
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267