

54 EVOLUTION AND MAN S PLACE IN NATURE 



of life is before us, which it is easy to depict, because 

 it is familiar to us all, while it is peculiar to human 

 life. We have to make clear the rational procedure, 

 which is the pre-requisite for action, and the personal 

 activity which results from it. This can be accom 

 plished without entanglement in matters of contro 

 versy. The rational power at work is the same which 

 has been concerned in the ingathering of knowledge, 

 and in the interpretation of occurrences. A wider 

 rational basis, however, appears now, in the recognition 

 of laws of right conduct. How this knowledge _of 

 ethical law has been reached, need not be discussed. 

 Enlarged scope of action for the rational power is seen 

 in the application of laws of moral life for decision as 

 to right conduct. In consequence, we have in rational 

 life the conception of duty. A further consequence is, 

 judgment upon past action as right or wrong. Still 

 later in experience, arises a sentiment of self-approval, 

 or of self-reproach. These are characteristics of per 

 sonal life. Every reader is a competent judge of the 

 accuracy of this account of our moral life. If accu 

 rate, the scientific importance of the facts enumerated 

 is unquestionable. These facts must present the 

 severest test which a theory of Evolution has to 

 encounter. The conditions of action are changed^when 

 rational self-direction comes into view. This change 

 is so great as to amount to a complete contrast with 

 all that has appeared in lower forms of life. Passion 

 and appetite have not disappeared : they are present 

 as before ; but instead of determining conduct, a new 

 exercise of power has appeared to control them. Life 

 has here a duality within it, which has not been seen 

 at any lower stage. Life s history becomes in this 



