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CHAPTEE V.
ON THE SECOND CLASS OP OBJECTS FOB THE SUBJECT AND
THE FORM OF THE PRINCIPLE OF SUFFICIENT REASON
WHICH PREDOMINATES IN IT.
THE
26. Explanation of this Class of Objects.
only essential distinction between the human raco
and animals, which from time immemorial has been
attributed to a special cognitive faculty peculiar to man
kind, called Reason, is based upon the fact that man owns
a class of representations which is not shared by any
animal. These are conceptions, therefore abstract, as opposed
to intuitive, representations, from which they are neverthe
less derived. The immediate consequence of this is, that
animals can neither speak nor laugh; but indirectly ail
those various, important characteristics which distinguish
human from animal life are its consequence. For, through
the supervention of abstract representation, motivation has
now changed its character. Although human actions result
with a necessity no less rigorous than that which rules the
actions of animals, yet through this new kind of motiva
tion so far as here it consists in thoughts which render
elective decision (i.e. a conscious conflict of motives) pos
sible action with a purpose, with reflection, according to
plans and principles, in concert with others, &c. &c., now
takes the place of mere impulse given by present, perceptible
but by this it gives rise to all that renders human
objects ;
life so rich, so artificial, and so terrible, that man, in this