CHAPTER XXXII. 



THE GROUNDS OF THE MORAL NATURE. 



Definition. JN Speaking of the moral nature, I do not use the 

 Moral X expression in the usual sense, in which it is restricted 

 ^Zllnal. to those powers of the mind that take cognizance of right 

 and wrong. I intend to speak of the moral nature as co- 

 extensive, and indeed identical, with the emotional nature. 

 Moral is The word moral is not properly contrasted with mental. 

 contrasted j/o?-aZ is contrasted with intellectual ; and the moral and 

 ledual. intellectual natures are both branches of the mental nature. 

 "We have seen that the intellectual nature begins from 

 sensation, and that the first rudiment of intellect consists 

 in the power of cognising the relations between different 

 If^the°°* sensations. It is no less true that the moral nature begins 

 moral f^.^^^^ sensation. The first rudiment of the moral nature 

 ?nthe^^^ consists in cognising the difference between agreeable and 

 sense of digagreeable sensations, and in desiring the one and 



pleasure vAj.ociQi.y^v.i* , o 



and pain, disliking the other. 



Pleasure Pleasure and pain — or, in other words, the agreeable and 



and pain (jiggfTjeeable qualities of sensations — are facts which, like 



are luex- "^"^o -i ■, ■ ^ ni- 



jilicable in sensation itself, cannot be explained or resolved into any 

 serfs' others. But, as we have seen it to be with sensation, so it 

 but it may jj^^y be with pleasure and pain. Though it is impossible to 

 to tdl how explain what they are in themselves, it may be possible to 

 they arise. ^^^ y^Y^en and how they arise. In speaking of organic 

 te'n^^nc^ intelligence I stated it to be, as I believe, the general law 

 guides all p intelligence, that it directs all the actions, whether 



organisms '^'- o ' _ 



to do what formative, motor, or mental, of an orgamsm, m whatever 

 welfL-l!^^^'^ direction is best for the life and health of the organism.^ 



1 See p. 8. 



