Of what use, however, is a general certainty that an insect will not walk with his head hindmost, when what you need to know is the play of inward stimulus that sends him hither and thither in a network of possible paths?

Summary

This quote questions the value of having general knowledge about certain aspects of an insect's behavior if it fails to provide the specific understanding needed to comprehend its intricate actions. Instead of merely knowing that an insect won't walk backward, the quote suggests that it is more beneficial to comprehend the internal impulses and external stimuli that guide its movements within a complex web of potential paths. In essence, it highlights the importance of delving deeper and focusing on the underlying motivations behind an action rather than superficial generalizations.

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