Full Idea
The idea of the nest in the bird's mind, where does it come from?
Gist of Idea
Where does the bird's idea of a nest come from?
Source
Joseph Joubert (Notebooks [1800], 1800)
Book Reference
Joubert,Joseph: 'Notebooks', ed/tr. Auster,Paul [nyrb 2005], p.67
A Reaction
I think this is a very striking example in support of innate ideas. Most animal behaviour can be explained as responses to stimuli, but the bird seems to hold a model in its mind while it collects its materials.