Morality depends upon Causation. 129* 



is most right, and really most for their welfare and 

 that of mankind in general, but that which would 1 

 most please them. The desire of immediate pleasure- 

 or consolation is greater than the love of truth in 

 nearly all men, and this is connected with another 

 fact, viz : that persons unacquainted with the great' 

 principles of science, have not the advantage of the 

 moral sustaining power of those principles, and are 

 compelled in circumstances of trial to seek extraneous- 

 mental relief. 



The desire to do right is not the primary source 

 of morality ; there must be a cause for that desire, 

 and this fact also shews that moral phenomena are 

 dependent upon the scientific principle of causation. 

 We can also mueh better understand a subject, 

 especially a complex one like that of morals, when 1 

 we can co ordinate its facts in a scientific manner, by 

 referring them to some general principle which 1 

 governs or includes them. Referring moral actions 

 to a verified scientific principle, is more satisfactory 

 than referring them to a less definite source such as- 

 " conscience " ; the " testimony of consciousness " ; or 

 " the indestructible instincts of the human soul," 

 because a principle affords a more consistent explana- 

 tion than a dogmatic idea. The fact also that the 

 discoveries of science usually precede the develop-* 

 ments of the moral advantages of science to mankind, 

 is in harmony with the general truth that effects 

 follow their causes, and with the conclusion that moral 

 rules and moral progress have a scientific basis. 



