Sheldon — The Literature of Ethical Science. 101 



the highest good or of the ethical ideal? Is he to be classed 

 with one of the *« schools," or has he a new position to 

 defend? More especially, how does he stand with regard to 

 English Utilitarianism? Every scholar must take his stand 

 and declare himself in regard to this latter theory, inasmuch 

 as it is the one most clear-cut, sharply defined, elaborately 

 wrought out and most aajgressive attitude of modern times, 

 (2) What is the author's theory as to the nature of con- 

 science? Is this something original or derived? In sub- 

 stance, what does he regard as the sanction for the moral 

 ideal, or as the seat of authority impelling or commanding us 

 to pursue this ideal? (3) What new contribution has the 

 writer to make in the story of evolution or development of the 

 ethical ideal and of conscience? If he regards this phase of 

 soul-functioning as derived, then he is called upon to account 

 for its origin, to unfold the elements out of which it is com- 

 pounded, or because of which it has appeared. (4) What 

 attitude does he take on the problem of the freedom of the 

 will? The writer must make it clear once for all whether he 

 is or is not a Determinist, with answers to the why oi where- 

 fore. He must pay his respects to this issue in one or sev- 

 eral chapters, chiefly because it involves the problem of moral 

 responsibility. (5) What view does he hold as to the re- 

 lation between ethics and religion: to what extent or in 

 what way is the God-problem involved? Nearly every writer 

 will devote a part of his work to a consideration of this point. 

 These are the leading issues to be threshed out on the side 

 of theory. But in all probability at least one-third of each 

 of the treatises will be given over to the more practical 

 aspects. The author will probably undertake to give a classi- 

 fication of the virtues or duties. Then he will be called 

 upon to declare himself in the application of his special doc- 

 trines and to define his position on five main problems: (1) 

 As to whether Society or the Individual ranks first in 

 importance: which is the end in itself and to which one 

 the other is subordinate. (2) As to the significance of 

 Marriage and the Family. (3) As to Property and the 

 Industrial problem : to what extent is he individualistic or 



