Page:Mind (Old Series) Volume 9.djvu/162

150 H. STEINTHAL'S ABRISS DER SPRACHWISSENSCHAFT, i. is the casuistic method of the mental sciences, which rests upon the harmonising apperception. Hence the results of the two methods are very different. Whilst the inductive and deductive sciences arrive at definite conclusions, the sciences employing the casuistic method (history, for instance) do not get beyond enthymemata, i.e., higher probabilities. If we watch the building up of the inner world, we shall find it to be a real history of creation. The rise of sensation from feeling is a veritable ' And there was light '. But this is only the first day of creation. Feeling, sensation, and reflex actions are given ; but perception has still to be learned. It is a well-known fact that we only see surfaces ; to see bodies according to their three dimensions, to recognise space-relations, must be first learned. As sensation develops into perception, so the latter goes on evolving into the concept or idea. Hence the difficulty of characterising perception, per se, as a pre-linguistic stage. We can, however, be sure of this, that to primitive perception self- consciousness is lacking. Closely connected with this lack of self-consciousness is the fact that, at the stage of perception, there is nothing general but only what is individual. Our sen- sations are limited to single qualities ; our perceptions to single things. There are no perceptions of species. And, as regards the animal soul, we can at all events predicate this of it that, inasmuch as that which is immediately present alone constitutes the subject-matter and content of the perceiving soul, animal consciousness must be limited to the knowledge of individuals, which cannot be comprehended and distinguished as species. As regards the evolution of man's place in nature from the lower one of the animal, of an anthropoid, Steinthal thinks the evidence is not yet complete. His position is, shortly, this : The evolution of language has been the most powerful means of raising human consciousness from that of the animal. From its very beginning, speech is a new organ of man. By this the effectiveness of his other organs, of the senses, of thought and feeling, is ensured and enhanced. But this high significance of language for the development of mind by no means implies that it cannot owe its origin to circumstances which, from a zoological point of view, are in no wise necessary, at least not all equally essential. Nay, we might even admit that the highly-developed mammal, as the dog or the horse, would produce speech if there were not hindrances. These indeed can be shown, and with their removal conies the rise of man. Much seems to depend upon the upright posture which, as Darwin and Caspary have shown, might be won by constant practice whilst in the simious state. And Jager has done well in laying stress on the fact that the upright position is indispensable for getting that mastery over respiration which is essential to speech. In speaking the breath is sent forth rhythmically. For this the muscles of the ribs and abdomen must be fully under our