TYPES OF ETHICAL THEORY. 87 



Thus as morals led on from physics to meta- 

 physics, so metaphysics made the transition from 

 morals to theology. Comte's so-called law of the 

 three stages was exactly reversed. 



Such a preface gives rise to great expectations, 

 and they are not disappointed, except, perhaps, 

 that one might have hoped for a fuller discussion 

 of some of the underlying metaphysical questions. 

 Of course, as a writer on ethical theory, Dr. Marti- 

 neau might refuse to be led away into metaphysical 

 speculation. But then a very considerable part of 

 the first volume is devoted to the discussion of 

 metaphysical subjects, the positive bearing of which 

 on the ethical conclusions is not very obvious. 

 There is here a very marked contrast between 

 Professor Green and Dr. Martineau. Professor 

 Green approaches ethical questions as a meta- 

 physician : Dr. Martineau approaches metaphysical 

 questions as a moralist. Those who have the 

 courage to read through the " Prolegomena to 

 Ethics" feel all through that it is the work of a 

 real metaphysician, and yet that, however far from 

 ethics the discussion of " the spiritual principle in 

 knowledge and in nature " may at first seem to be, 

 it all ultimately bears upon the ethical result. Dr. 

 Martineau's interest is primarily with morals and 

 only with metaphysics as the speculative basis for 

 morals, at least that is the idea which his two 

 volumes leave upon our minds, 



