260 The Evolution Hypothesis. 



of all his labours in philosophy. "This last part of 

 the task it is, to which I regard all the preceding 

 parts as subsidiary. Written as far back as 1842, my 

 first essay, consisting of letters on The Proper Sphere 

 of Government, vaguely indicated what I conceived to 

 be certain general principles of right and wrong in 

 political conduct ; and from that time onwards my 

 ultimate purpose, lying behind all proximate purposes, 

 has been that of finding for the principles of right and 

 wrong in conduct at large, a scientific basis."* 



It is Mr. Spencer's aim to establish moral principles 

 on a rational basis. The foundation has been laid in 

 his philosophy. He is consequently precluded from 

 expounding any ethical doctrine that is not the legiti- 

 mate fruit of his system. We are not prepared to 

 deposit in the ark of the comiug dispensation the 

 tables of a new law, till we have tested their scientific 

 worth : we must also see how they follow, as a 

 necessary outcome of the philosophy from which they 

 derive their authority. 



" Critics of a certain class," he says, " far from re- 

 joicing that ethical principles otherwise derived by 

 them, coincide with ethical principles scientifically 

 derived, are offended by the coincidence. Instead of 

 recognizing essential likeness they enlarge on super- 

 ficial difference."* We question if the defenders of 

 Christian ethics are chargeable generally with this 



* The Data of Ethics, Preface, p. iii. t Ibid., Preface, p. v. 



