LB27伊津

LB27
A methodological general principle emerges from these considerations. Morphological characteristics of a species may be understood as a specialize form of the general (abstracted) type characteristic of the genus; each genus represents a special modification from the general structural pattern of the superordinate family; each family represents special deviations from the more general structural pattern of the order, etc. On the other hand, the systematic of behavior do not have the same hierarchical relationships. Discontinuities and unique traits are common; specializations of behavior seem to deviate more markedly from general patterns, and in many cases the specializations are so pronounced that the abstraction of general behavior types is impossible or hazardous.

This difference in structural as opposed to behavioral systematic may be entirely due to the limitations of human observation and insight. We can discern, visually, the relationship between forms; but the relationship of behavior escapes our powers of observation more easily. However this may be, it leads to the following methodological principle:

Knowledge of structure alone cannot lead to exact inference of behavior patterns (only general modes of life); but once behavior patterns are known, we can understand and explain by hindsight certain specialization of morphology.

This is a methodological formulation. It does not give clues to the direction of causality; it does not assert that behavior is prior to form or vice versa.