128 Proof of the Scientific basis of Morality, 



that many of our truthful ideas and correct tendencies 

 were originally arrived at by intellectual processes ; and 

 have become incorporated into our mental and 

 physical structure by habit, education, and inheritance. 

 The scientific basis of morality is further shewn and 

 essentially proved by the fact that the fundamental 

 rules of morality are dependent upon scientific 

 principles. According to Dr. Clarke, the two funda- 

 mental " rules of righteousness" which regulate our 

 moral conduct are, first, that we should do unto 

 another what we would, under like circumstances, 

 have him do unto us ; and second, that we should 

 constantly endeavour to promote to the utmost of our 

 power, the welfare and happiness of all men (to the 

 latter might well be added, the welfare of all sentient 

 creatures). The first of these rules is essentially 

 dependent upon the scientific principle of causation, 

 viz :--that the same cause, acting under the same 

 circumstances, always produces the same effect, if 

 what we did for another person under like circum- 

 stances might produce a different effect to what it 

 would when done for ourself, the rule could not be 

 depended upon and would be of no use. The second 

 also agrees with the great principles of science, for 

 the more we obey those principles, the more do we 

 really " promote the happiness and welfare of all 

 men." The first of these rules however in the form 

 usually stated, is incomplete, because it does not 

 provide for the circumstance, that many persons 

 desire to have done unto themselves, not that which 



