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Section II. on Self preservation
If we mean to examine the qualities that distinguish Men from other Animals or that add diversify /add deletion unclear /deletion them in different Climates & Ages we must first attend to the Universal Characteristics of Men.
Thus we know that Man like other Animals has certain Instincts previous to the perceptions of pleasure & pain, & to the experience of what is pernicious or useful that lead him to perform many functions of nature relative to himself & to his fellow Creatures; among these are the desire of self preservation, & of continuing his Race, of his listing himself on the side of one Tribe or Community that frequently engages him in War & contention with the rest of mankind.
His powers of discernment, which under the appellation of Reason are distinguished from the endowments of other Animals, refer to the objects around either as they are subjects of mere knowledge, or of approbation & censure.
He is formed not only to know, but to admire and contemn, & enjoys his felicity on certain conditions; for He must either as an Individual or as a Member of Society follow a particular course to reap the advantages of his Nature.
He is very susceptible of habits
