The Evolution of Morals. 265 



is a cardinal trait of the self-restraint called moral, is 

 also a cardinal trait of self-restraints other than those 

 called moral the restraints that originate from fear 

 of the visible ruler, of the invisible ruler, and of society 



at large Eventually the moral control, with its 



.accompanying conceptions and sentiments, emerges as 



independent As with the restraints thus gener- 



.ated is always joined the thought of external coercion, 

 there arises the notion of obligation ; which so becomes 

 habitually associated with the surrender of immediate 

 special benefits for the sake of distant and general 

 benefits."* 



There are 'two elements in this " notion of obliga- 

 tion : " (a) the surrender of a present pleasure for the 

 ;sake of a future benefit, and (b) the coercive sense 

 of obligation to do so. Now there is little doubt 

 that men would in any circumstances soon discover 

 that some present pleasures must be sacrificed that 

 more distant benefits might be gained ; but this implies 

 forethought, comparison, preference, choice the very 

 qualities that characterize the developed moral nature. 

 Just as in the supposed evolution of mind we found it 

 necessary to assume in every instance the exercise of 

 the mental power to be evolved. 



The second element in the "notion of obligation" 

 originated in a different way. It was driven into the 

 primeval man by the club of his chief, while alive, and 





 * The Data of Ethics, 44. 



