356 Morality and Self-interest 



us this immense advantage is exactly the posses- 

 sion of those moral qualities, affability, righteous- 

 ness, and kindness, which men estimate so highly 

 and with so great reason. 



The satisfaction of the social instincts is of 

 course one of the most important elements of 

 happiness, and no conception of enlightened self- 

 interest would be complete which did not recognize 

 the fundamental importance of psychological 

 factors. Darwin has emphasized the importance of 

 the psychological element of self-interest repeat- 

 edly. The following quotation will illustrate his 

 view: 



. . . Even at an early period in the history of man, 

 the expressed wishes of the community will have 

 naturally influenced to a large extent the conduct of 

 each member; and as all wish for happiness, the 

 "Greatest happiness principle" will have become a 

 most important secondary guide and object ; the social 

 instinct, however, together with sympathy (which 

 leads to our regarding the approbation and disappro- 

 bation of others) , having served as the primary impulse 

 and guide. Thus the reproach is removed of laying 

 the foundation of the noblest part of our nature in 

 the base principle of selfishness; unless, indeed, the 

 satisfaction which every animal feels, when it follows 

 its proper instincts, and the dissatisfaction felt when 

 prevented, be called selfish.^ 



In the true Darwinian theory, morality is deduced 

 from the principle of association. Mutual aid is 



» The Descent of Man, p. 136. 



