The phrase "ancient instincts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to innate or primal behaviors that have been passed down through generations, often in a historical or evolutionary context.
Example: "Despite the advancements in technology, many people still rely on their ancient instincts when faced with danger."
Alternatives: "primal instincts" or "instinctual behaviors".
Although we'd always seen ourselves as rational creatures — this was our Promethean gift — it turns out that human reason is rather feeble, easily overwhelmed by ancient instincts and lazy biases.
One of Panksepp's major contributions: his identification of seven ancient instincts, or "primary-process affective systems," that in his view drive the human being.
But the more relevant argument is that religion promotes out-group mentality in an age of interdependence when we can't afford to surrender to ancient instincts.
Why this ancient instinct for the greatest questions?
He suffered these regularly, knew the drill, felt himself hunkering into the blinding, energy-sapping migraine by ancient instinct.
They can also recall the kitschy, wide-eyed moppets of Margaret Keane while evoking Paul Klee and the ancient instinct for human portraiture that feels emotionally real but isn't realistic.
The pains women take to keep their bodies free of hair -- joined now by some men -- may be no mere fashion statement but the latest echo of an ancient instinct.
Haldane's (1932: 162) remarkable understatement, "in the cases of sexual selection and the evolution of flowers, survival value has been determined by animal aesthetics, which are not altogether unlike our own" suggests that Plato's view echoes ancient instinct.
(Art critic Roberta Smith cites the work as revealing an "ancient instinct for human portraiture that feels emotionally real but isn't realistic").
Even worse: You just know, by some ancient instinct, that a very large fish does not taste as good as a small one.
(Art critic Roberta Smith cites the work as revealing an "ancient instinct for human portraiture that feels emotionally real but isn't realistic".) The flat, unrealistic style of ero guro is a way for contemporary artists to dissect taboos, simultaneously shocking and normalizing the viewers' perceptions.
