III
CHARACTER AND WILL
Q. 3. What is the distinctive characteristic of man?
A. The distinctive character of man is that he has a sense of responsibility for his acts, having acquired the power of choosing between good and evil, with freedom to obey one motive rather than another.
Creatures far below the human level are irresponsible; they feel no shame and suffer no remorse; they are said to have no conscience.
CLAUSE III
Character of Manhood
In putting this question, children may be asked to suggest characteristics which distinguish man from animals. If gradually they hit upon clothes and fire and speech they will do well.
Clothes may be defined as artificial covering removable at will; “artificial” meaning made by an artificer, or manufactured, as opposed to natural growth, like fur. But the changes of covering among animals should not be overlooked: moulting for instance, renewal of skin necessitated by growth, protective change of colour at summer and winter, and so on.