Conclusions 269 



of life; covering every motive and result, however simple 

 or complex. All differences of degree of goodness, receive 

 consideration of value in terms of quantity, or are- compen- 

 sated in terms of time; the greatest reward being continued 

 life in progressive fitness through all time. 



Twenty-fifth, The award of compensation for conduct, 

 whether beneficial or injurious, is made to the life of the 

 lineage ; and such of it as comes into the control of an indi- 

 vidual is a property in trust, which, however, is at his dis- 

 posal. In his discretion he can appropriate the life to the 

 use and enjoyment of his somatic body ; or he can conserve 

 it and its endowment, to the continuing lineage by which he 

 receives it. The right guidance of the performance of this 

 trust, without undue appropriation, is the function of 

 morality. 



The elucidation of these principles, by analysis of conduct 

 as it is practiced, ends the work properly within the scope 

 of this effort. There is still lacking a promised explanation 

 of the imperfectly stated facts in evolution, by which hered- 

 ity and material immortality, endow the life plasm of the 

 lineage; and this must needs receive a separate treatment, 

 which will in a sense complete the ground needed for a broad 

 conception of the conduct motive. 



