Summary: rise to ordered sequences in behaviour, leading to the formation of habits which are so ingrained in the animal’s nature that they seem to be determined predominantly by instinct than by consciousness. In the case of man, however, the possession of self-consciousness introduces a new order of facts due to the power of imitation, which enables him to understand the motives and objects of others’ action as well as his own. This understanding arises from the possession of language which is shared by members of a society and helps in the formation of social traditions and conventions. The influence of society on the individual, therefore, is reciprocal in nature, as the former shapes the latter's development while the latter contributes to the stability and progress of the former. The philosophical implications of this reciprocal relationship manifest in the concepts of free will, determinism, and moral responsibility, indicating that while man is shaped by his environment and societal norms, he also possesses the capacity to transcend these limitations through conscious action and ethical choice.