New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-07-18

be foreknown while those of the other cannot DC
foreknown; and this implies that the successive
movements comprising the one bear more constant
mutual relations than do those composing the othei
that IS to say, are more coherent Another uat VI
increasing evolved conduct, as set forth at iene'n
by Mr. Spencer is its defniteDess, or the III
creased coordination of its motions. The polyps
move in ways which lack precision Inc
track of a worm and the course OF Dee $40"
marked contrast in respect to dehniteness oil mo-
ton. Human conduct even in ITS lowest Stages IL
characterized by much higher degree OF the same
quality. The movements of the savage display
precision not paralleled among lower creatures
The lives of civilized men exhibit this trait far
more conspicuously. Everyindustria art exemplleS
the effects of movements which are severally dehl-
tie. Business transactions are characterized py
exact relations The daily routine of each civilized
person in its regular periods of activity of rest, OF
relaxation is in striking contrast with the dolngs
of the savage who has no fixed times for hunting,
sleeping feeding, or any one kind OF action. Moral
conduct differs from immoral conduct III the same
manner and in a like degree. The CONSCIENTIOUS
man is exact in all his transactions. He supplies
precise weight for specified sum; pays the luii
amount he bargained for, and in times as well as
ouantities his acts answer completely to antici-
patton. If he has made a business contract, he ~
up to the day if an appointment, to the minute.
So in respect 10 truth, his statements correspond
accurately with truth. The progress toward recti-
tnde of conduct is progress toward duly proper
toned conduct. One Of the traits OF conduct we
call immoral is excess while moderation habitualiy
characterizes moral conduct. But excess implies
divergence from some medium, while maintenance
of the medium is implied by moderation or in other
words, actions of the last kind can be more com
pletely defined thar those Of the first.
In treating of the biological point of view, Mr..
Spencer brings forw ard several deductions that are
equally remarkable for their originality and force
and which challenge the most rgId scrutiny IRON
philosophical thinkers The ideally moral man,
he afiirms is one in whom the functions OF all
kinds are duly fulfilled. Each function has some
relation to the needs of life Hence nonfuhlment
Of it il normal proportion is nonfnlfiment OF
REQUISITE to complete life. The moral man, accord
ingly is one whose functions are all discharged III
degrees duly adjusted to the conditions of exist
ence 1t follows that the performance of every
function is, in a certain sense, moral Obligation.
Morality, it is usually thought, requires us to re-
strain such vital activities conflict with the gem
era welfare but in truth, it also requires us to
carry out these vital activities TO their normal
limits All the animal functions, as thus under
stood have their imperatveness III common with
all the higher functions. While we recognize the
fact that supreme moral obligations often necessi-
tate conduct which is physically injurious,
we must also recognize the fact that it
is immoral so to treat the body as in
any way to diminish the fulness or ygor OF its ac-
tivity test is thus furnished of the morality OF
actions. If the action tends to fhe maintenance OF
complete life for the time being, or If it contributes
to the proongation of life to Its full extent. 1t may
be classed as a moral action in respect of its mme-
h, tnfit
remote bearings. But this conclusion supposcs an
ideal humanity, without reference to humanity as
now existing 1t applies to that highest conduct in
which the evolution of conduct terminates, making
all adjustments of acts to ends subseryient to the
completion of individual life This conception of
conduct in its ultimate form. implies the concep-
ton of nature having such conduct for its spon-
taneOus outcome the product of its normal actlyi-
ties 1t thus becomes evident that under such con-
dtions any falling short of Junction. well as any
excess of function, implies deviation from the best
conduct, or from perfectly moral conduct
We cannot attempt to follow Mr. Spencer IN the
profound analysis with which he continues to
elucdate the subject in its various aspects and re-
latons. but must hasten to the conclusion of the
work and of our imperfect sketch of portion of its
contents. His exposition of the method, however,
by which conflicting ethical theories may be recon-
clled is too significant to be entirely passed over.
Every ethical theory, lie remarks embodies por-
tions of the truth If these several portions were
combined in proper order they would embody the
whole truth. The theological theory, for example,
contains part. If we substitute for the divine
WILL as supposed to be systematically revealed, the
naturally revealed end toward which the Power
manifested throughout Evolution works, then since
Evolution operates toward the highest life, it fol-
lows that by conforming to those principles by
which the highest life is achieved. the end of
evolution is furthered So, too, the doctrine that
perfection or excellence of nature should be the
object Of pursuit, is in one sense true, since 1t
virtually recognizes the ideal form of being which
the highest life implies, and to which Eyo luton
tends. There is also a truth In the doctrine
that virtue must be the aim, for this
is only another form of the doctrine that
the aim must he to fulfil the conditions
to achievement of the highest life. That the
munitions of a moral faculty should guide our
conduct is a proposition which contains a truth for
those intultOns the slowly organized results of
experiences received by the while living in the
presence of these conditions. That happiness is the
supreme end is beyond question true, for this is the
concomitant of that highest life which every theory
of moral guidance has distinctly vaguely in view.
Ii is thus seen that the ethical systems which make
virtue right obligation, the cardinal aims, are COM
Elementary to the ethical systems which make we'll
being, pleasure, happiness the cardinal aims. The
moral sentiments which have been developed in
civilized society are indispensable Incentives
and deterrents, and the intutions which correspond
to these sentiments have a claim to be revcrently
recognized; but the sympathies and antipathies
which are thus called FORTH well the intellect
ua expression of them are in their primitive FORMS
necessarily vague. Hence their dictates must be
internre ted and made definite by science The con-
ditions of complete living must be analysed, and
this analysis will recognize happiness for each and
all as the end to be achieved by the fulflment of the