General moral effects of Scientific research. 12 1 



are dependent upon those principles. Morality also 

 cannot be properly understood without a knowledge 

 of various sciences, especially biology, because it 

 relates to human creatures, all of whom are morally 

 affected by the various forces and substances belong- 

 ing to the physical and chemical sciences. 



Having shown that moral actions are mental ones, 

 and adduced evidence to prove that mental actions 

 are largely subject to scientific principles ; it follows 

 as a necessary consequence, that moral actions also 

 largely obey those principles, and I need not repeat 

 that evidence. 



/ The extension of scientific knowledge conduces in 

 a very general way to moral progress, by diffusing the 

 " scientific spirit," increasing our love of truth, facili- 

 tating the attainment of greater certainty and accuracy, 

 enabling us to more perfectly avoid error, reducing 

 our ignorance, dispelling superstition, inculcating 

 obedience to law, diminishing difference of opinion 

 and thereby lessening strife, conducing to humility, to 

 greater economy of means, to increased cleanliness, 

 &c, &c. Scientific research also, by disclosing to 

 man his true position in nature, enables him to act 

 in harmony therewith, and thus increase his morality 

 and general happiness. 



Knowledge r is as free as the air, once diffused it 

 becomes impressed upon the brains of men and can- 

 not be easily destroyed or restrained; and the greatest 

 moral effects of science are cosmopolitan ones. In- 

 ventions based upon new scientific truths are gradually 



