91 THE DESCENT OF MAN. [Part I. 



tical with the social instincts; and in the case of the 

 lower animals it would be absurd to speak of these in- 

 stincts as having been developed from selfishness, or for 

 the happiness of the community. They have, however, 

 certainly been develoj>ed for the general good of the com- 

 munity. The term, general good, may be defined as the 

 means by which the greatest possible number of individuals 

 can be reared in full vigor and health, with all their facul- 

 ties perfect, under the conditions to which they are exposed. 

 As the social instincts both of man and the lower animals 

 have no doubt been developed by the same steps, it would 

 be advisable, if found practicable, to use the same defini- 

 tion in both cases, and to take, as the test of morality, the 

 general good or welfare of the community, rather than the 

 general happiness ; but this definition would perhaps re- 

 quire some limitation on account of political ethics. 



When a man risks his life to save that of a fellow- 

 creature, it seems more appropriate to say that he acts for 

 the general good or welfare, rather than for the general 

 happiness of mankind. No doubt the welfare and the 

 happiness of the individual usually coincide ; and a con- 

 tented, happy tribe will flourish better than one that is 

 discontented and unhappy. We have seen that, at an 

 early period in the history of man, the expressed wishes 

 of the community will have naturally influenced to a large 

 extent the conduct of each member ; and as all wish for 

 happiness, the " greatest happiness principle " will have 

 become a most important secondary guide and object ; the 

 social instincts, including sympathy, always serving as 

 the primary impulse and guide. Thus the reproach of lay- 

 ing the foundation of the most noble part of our nature in 

 the base principle of selfishness is removed; unless indeed 

 the satisfaction which every annual feels when it follows 

 its proper instincts, and the dissatisfaction felt when pre- 

 vented, be called selfish. 



