116 ETHICAL ASPECTS OF EVOLUTION 



the only determinant of choice. But the whole question 

 between the Utilitarian and his opponent is whether 

 there is not some other determinant besides pleasure. 

 The bare assertion that no other is conceivable is no 

 argument, in however loud and confident a voice it 

 may be made. The fact remains that others have been 

 conceived, such as obedience to conscience, or to God, 

 or to an earthly superior, even if the balance of pleasure 

 should be manifestly on the other side. Proof cannot be 

 dispensed with, and, if there is no proof, there is no valid 

 premise. The preference of the lower to the higher conduct 

 may be due to the presence or the absence of some other 

 determinant, which is not pleasure, and we are under no 

 necessity of assuming that the pleasures themselves differ 

 in any but the recognized points of intensity and 

 duration. 



If the inferior being pursued lower aims merely because 

 he was ignorant of the more attractive quality of the 

 pleasure which is attached to the higher aims, and if his 

 idea of pleasure were his sole criterion of value, it would 

 follow that he could not possibly admire, or attach a high 

 value to, actions which are inspired by a more elevated 

 morality than his own. Heroism, in his eyes, would be 

 a quixotic folly the sacrifice of substance for a shadow. 

 Indeed, if they depended for their reputation on the suf 

 frages of their equals or their superiors, history would show 

 us no heroes at all. The number of genuine connoisseurs 

 in the higher pleasures would always be too limited to make 

 way against the vast aggregate of ignorance, indifference, 

 and positive contempt. But, although they do not appre 

 ciate the higher hedonic qualities, or even suspect their 

 existence, the undistinguished masses are far from feeling 

 contempt or even indifference for those qualities which 

 raise men to a higher level than their own. Excellence of 

 all kinds, whether it be of morality or of dignity, excites 

 their respect, and its supreme manifestations their worship. 

 The worship of saints is the tribute they have paid to one, 

 and of the Roman emperors to the other, of these two 



