On Instinct: A Lecture

by Richard Whately

On A Lecture is a book written by Richard Whately in 1847. The book is a lecture that explores the concept of instinct, which is defined as an innate, unlearned behavior that is present in animals and humans. Whately discusses the various theories of instinct, including those proposed by philosophers and scientists of the time. He also examines the role of instinct in animal behavior, including the behavior of insects, birds, and mammals. Additionally, Whately discusses the relationship between instinct and reason, arguing that while instinct is important, reason is ultimately more valuable in human behavior. The book is a thought-provoking exploration of the nature of instinct and its role in the animal kingdom and human behavior.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

36 pages, Paperback

Published September 10, 2010

About the author

English rhetorician, logician, economist, academic and theologian who also served as a reforming Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin. He was a leading Broad Churchman, a prolific and combative author over a wide range of topics. Whately was an important figure in the revival of Aristotelian logic in the early nineteenth century. Whately's view of rhetoric as essentially a method for persuasion became an orthodoxy, challenged in mid-century by Henry Noble Day.