The constitution of man considered in relation to external objects / [George Combe].
- George Combe
- Date:
- 1879
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: The constitution of man considered in relation to external objects / [George Combe]. Source: Wellcome Collection.
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![COMPLEX NATURE OB' MAS. state, exhibiting scales of fishes, and other traces of the prey which they had devoured) “ form records of warfare waged by successive generations of inhabitants of our planet on one another; and the general law of nature, which bids all to eat and he eaten in their turn, is shown to have been co-exten- sive with animal existence upon our globe, the carnivora in each period of the world’s history fulfilling their destined office to check excess in the progress of life, and maintain the balance of creation.” Thus it is admitted by the most esteemed authorities, that death and reproduction formed parts of the order of nature before Man can be traced on the globe. Let us new contemplate Man himself, and his adaptation to the externa] world. The order of nature seems not to have been changed at his introduction, but he appears to have been adapted to it. He received an organised structure, and animal, moral, and intellectual powers. His brain is un- questionably the workmanship of God, and there exist in it organs of faculties impelling him to kill that he may eat, to oppose aggression, and to shun danger—impulses related to a constitution of nature similar to that which existed pre- viously to his existence. Man, then, apparently took his station among, yet at the head of, the beings that inhabited the earth at his introduction. He is to a certain extent an animal in his structure, powers, feelings, and desires, and is adapted to a world in which death reigns, and generation succeeds generation. This fact, although so trite and obvi- ous as to appear scarcely worthy of being mentioned, is of importance in treating of Man; because the human being, in so far as he resembles the inferior creatures, is capable of en- joying a life like theirs : he has pleasure in eating, drinking, sleeping, and exercising his limbs; and one of the greatest obstacles to his improvement is, that many are contented with these enjoyments, and consider it painful to be com- pelled to seek higher sources of gratification. But to the animal nature of Man have been added moral sentiments and reflecting faculties, which not only place him above all other creatures on earth, but constitute him a different being from any of them—a rational and accountable being. These facul- ties are his best and highest gifts, and the sources of his purest and intensest pleasures. They lead him directly to the great objects of his existence—obedience to the laws of God, and love of his fellow-men, But this peculiarity attends them, that](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b28105278_0030.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
