410 The Morality of Nature 



evolution of lower life without self -consciousness and 

 morality, is achieved by the trial of many variations, and 

 by the extermination of the unsuccessful, and the survival 

 of the successful ; and also that the variations in this stage 

 cannot be definitely attributed to any foresight, but only to 

 a right reaction to environment then present, evinced with a 

 presumption that it will continue. We have further observed 

 that the achievement of consciousness of self, and a knowl- 

 edge of relations with others, and of cause and effect, and, 

 in short, of good and evil, is in fact a realization of the 

 probabilities of the future as well as of the present; and 

 we see in that a means achieved, whereby conduct may be 

 varied for progress not merely in blind experiment, but 

 in reasoned prospect of its benefits; and we see that an ex- 

 tension of the previously recognized idea that conduct ulti- 

 mately beneficial is moral conduct, leads to the idea that an 

 increased perception of the effect of conduct, is an increased 

 power for morality. 



But that increase of power or potentiality is not to be 

 confused with the question of achievement. Intellect is a 

 means to morality, and an enlargement of perception ; but 

 it is not morality, nor does it even enlarge morality, unless 

 the greater perception is translated into volition and energy 

 and moral accomplishment. 



And we see that the greatest of this wisdom is still far 

 short of perfection, and is therefore not infallible. And 

 that the least of it is still that which has so far sufficed to 

 enable its living possessor to survive, and by which he has 

 a right and duty to guide his own activity. This right and 

 duty, even when pertaining to inferior capacity, we per- 



