CHAPTER XVIII 



CONCLUSIONS 



It is not necessary to the present purpose to analyze ex- 

 haustively the elements of conduct. It is preferred to reach 

 an early conclusion by a sufficiency of evidence. Admitting 

 then an imperfection, it is submitted now that enough has 

 been done to make evident the fundamental value of conduct 

 in consequential effects, which are just, in relation to the 

 continuous greater life which enjoys them, and the establish- 

 ment of Morality as the perception of these consequences. 



The general review of the natural impulses of active life 

 in the world, and of the attitude toward environment of the 

 creatures enjoying voluntary action, leads to the inevitable 

 belief, that conduct is subject to a system of natural law, 

 which has been evolved at the same time, and from the 

 same sources, as the activity itself ; and that there is an un- 

 avoidable relation between all conduct and its consequences, 

 which compensates good or bad action. In fact the award of 

 this compensation in its final completeness, is the thing which 

 decides what is good and what is bad. This decision is a 

 process operating in nature, with only that degree of super- 

 natural control, or wisdom, which is evidenced in the original 

 principle of energy of progressive evolution and of life. But 

 while it does not appear that additional supernatural control 

 is needed to complete a judgment of any conduct, yet on the 



262 



