x Preface. 



would fain comprehend the significance for 

 morals of that evolutionary theory which has 

 revolutionized_jinodern sdejac^aiid^culture^ This 

 alone woufd have been sufficient motive for the 

 avoidance of obscure and technical phraseology 

 and the cultivation of a popular style ; but, apart 

 from that consideration, I hold that the first duty 

 of any philosophical writer is to make himself 

 generally intelligible, and I am of the opinion 

 that there is no theory, or criticism, or system 

 (not even Kant s or Hegel s), that cannot be clearly 

 expressed in a language which in Locke s hands 

 was strong and homely, in Berkeley s rich and 

 subtle, in Hume s easy, graceful, and finished, 

 and in all three alike plain, transparent, and un 

 mistakable. 



This study of Darwinism in ethics being so 

 largely of a reflective character, reference to 

 other works has not in general been considered 

 necessary. I wish here, however, to acknowledge 

 especially my indebtedness to Darwin, whose 

 ethical speculations, illusory as I now hold them, 

 I have found more stimulating than any other 

 similar work since the time of Kant. 



J. G. S. 

 CORNELL UNIVERSITY, August 22, 1887. 



