On instinct in animals
121:7
Book Subtitle: Seneca's timeless letters of advice and wisdom.
Book Description: The final volume of Seneca's moral letters. Common Stoic themes emerge again and again: the unreliability of fortune, the ability to form Stoic resolve, and the importance of virtue.
7.
But people reply: “The reason why animals are so dexterous in the use of their limbs is that if they move them unnaturally, they will feel pain.
They are compelled to do thus, according to your school, and it is fear rather than will-power which moves them in the right direction.” This idea is wrong.
Bodies driven by a compelling force move slowly; but those which move of their own accord possess alertness.
The proof that it is not fear of pain which prompts them thus, is, that even when pain checks them they struggle to carry out their natural motions.
Book: Moral Letters Vol III
Subtitle: Seneca's timeless letters of advice and wisdom.
Author: Seneca
Chapter: On instinct in animals
Location: Chapter 121, Section 7
Content:
7.
But people reply: “The reason why animals are so dexterous in the use of their limbs is that if they move them unnaturally, they will feel pain.
They are compelled to do thus, according to your school, and it is fear rather than will-power which moves them in the right direction.” This idea is wrong.
Bodies driven by a compelling force move slowly; but those which move of their own accord possess alertness.
The proof that it is not fear of pain which prompts them thus, is, that even when pain checks them they struggle to carry out their natural motions.