MORAL SENSE. 137 



As the social instincts both of man and the lower animals 

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

 would be advisable, if found practicable, to use the same 

 definition in both cases, and to take as the standard of 

 morality the general good or welfare of the community, 

 rather than the general happiness ; but this definition 

 would perhaps require some limitation on account of 

 political ethics. 



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

 ure it seems also more correct to say that he acts for the 

 general good rather than for the general happiness of man- 

 kind. No doubt the welfare and the happiness of the 

 individual usually coincide; and a contented, happy tribo 

 will nourish better than one that is discontented and 

 unhappy. We have seen that even 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 "great- 

 est happiness principle " will have become a most impor- 

 tant secondary guide and object; the social instinct, how- 

 ever, together with sympathy (which leads to our regarding 

 the approbation and disapprobation of others), having 

 served as the primary impulse and guide. Thus the re- 

 proach is removed of laying the foundation of the noblest 

 part of our nature in the base principle of selfishness; 

 unless, indeed, the satisfaction which every animal feels, 

 when it follows its proper instincts, and the dissatisfaction 

 felt when prevented be called selfish. 



The wishes and opinions of the members of the same 

 community, expressed at first orally but later by writing 

 also, either form the sole guides of our conduct or greatly 

 re-enforce the social instincts; such opinions, however, have 

 sometimes a tendency directly opposed to these instincts. 

 This latter fact is well exemplified by the Law of Honor, 

 that is, the law of the opinion of our equals and not of all 

 our countrymen. The breach of this law, even when the 

 breach is known to be strictly accordant with true moral- 

 ity, has caused many a man more agony than a real crime. 

 We recognize tho same influence in the burning sense of 

 ?liame which most of us have felt, even after the interval 

 of years, when calling to mind some accidental breach of a 

 trifling, though fixed rule of etiquette. The judgment of 

 the community will generally be guided by some rude 



