272 Evolution of Morals. 



what it would be in an ideally perfect society : That course 

 of conduct must be adopted which ivill promote the greatest 

 possible development of life-giving energies, both in the indi- 

 viduals immediately affected, and in society at large, including 

 the life of posterity. Such action, wisely followed after a 

 due consideration of all attendant circumstances, will always 

 satisfy the demands of an enlightened conscience. It must 

 be remembered, however, that the absolute standard of right 

 should always be held in view ; and that no deviation from 

 it is ever justifiable in one who is capable of apprehending 

 such a standard, unless it clearly appears that any other 

 course of action would diminish the sum total of life-giving 

 activities in the world at large. 



Moral Science, as thus described, holds in just perspec- 

 tive the claims of both altruism and egoism in their relation 

 to conduct. The primary instinct of self-preservation 

 which lies at the foundation of moral evolution, is ethically 

 justified when pruned of undue selfishness, and held in 

 proper adjustment and equilibrium with the general well- 

 being. Man's first duty to society is to render himself an 

 independent and self-supporting member thereof, and to 

 qualify himself by the cultivation of his faculties for the 

 intelligent and useful service of mankind. The exercise of 

 all his natural functions and faculties, in due proportion, is 

 to be regarded as a moral obligation, since by repeated 

 neglect or disuse the organism is weakened, and thereby 

 rendered less competent to add to the sum total of life-giving 

 energies, both personal and social. For a like reason, all 

 excesses are to be condemned and avoided — including ex- 

 cesses of self-renunciation in altruistic service. Care of 

 the body, the preservation of physical health, thus becomes 

 a moral obligation. It cannot be doubted that in a more 

 perfect state of society the confession of disease will become 

 as shameful as the admission of moral delinquency. Even 

 unavoidable invalidism, other than that which is the natural 

 accompaniment of age, will be placed upon a par with in- 

 herited and ineradicable tendencies to moral lapse, like 

 kleptomania and dipsomania. 



Right thought, conscientious investigation of intellectual 

 problems, is also enjoined by Moral Science. The moral 

 man will cease to be an intellectual parasite, and form his 

 own intelligent judgments on all the problems of thought. 

 Thus only can the highest life be attained. The scope of 



