ABSTRACT
The main channel of energy, which supplies the motive power of all living creatures, has been called by many names: libido, horme, elan vitale, and bio-urge; an adequate English equivalent is the thrust of life. The stream of psychic energy becomes specialised in the individual into divergent currents, which is called three great instincts. The first of these is the self-preservation instinct. The second great instinct is that of reproduction, or sex, whose function it is to secure race preservation. The third great instinct is the social or herd instinct, by which term we designate that system of innate tendencies and capacities which enables us to co-operate with our fellows and lead a social life, with all its advantages and disadvantages. These three great instincts act and react on each other in the hidden field of the subconscious, and build up social organisation and individual character.
