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Life and Habit

By Samuel Butler
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Philosophy & Ethics

About This Book

The author proposes that many acquired habits become hereditary through a process likened to memory, and examines how unconscious or quasi-unconscious actions illuminate instinct, embryology, and the transmission of traits. He distinguishes conscious and unconscious knowing, explores personal identity and subordinate personalities, and considers assimilation of outside matter alongside the suspension (abeyance) of memory. Applying these ideas, he argues that instincts may be inherited memories and discusses examples such as neuter insects. The work critiques and contrasts prevailing evolutionary theories and outlines implications for the origin of species and the continuity of life.

About the Author

Butler, Samuel portrait

Samuel Butler

Samuel Butler was an English novelist, essayist, and social critic, known for his satirical and thought-provoking works. His most famous novel, "Erewhon," published in 1872, presents a unique utopian society that challenges contemporary Victorian values and explores themes of evolution and morality. Butler's writings often reflect his interest in science and philosophy, as seen in his essays and critiques of Darwinism in "Evolution, Old & New." He also authored travel narratives, such as "Alps and Sanctuaries of Piedmont and the Canton Ticino," showcasing his keen observations of culture and landscape. Butler's literary contributions continue to resonate, marking him as a significant figure in 19th-century literature.

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