160 
siders the manner in which the W’ords good and bad are 
generally applied, and deduces from this general use llieir 
meaning as applied to good conduct, lie observes that wo apply 
them “ according as the adjustments of acts to ends are, or 
are not, efficient.” “ The conduct which achieves each kind of 
end is regarded as relatively good, and is regarded as relatively 
bad if it fails to achieve it” (p. 22). Accordingly, human 
conduct is spoken of as right or w'rong according as it pro- 
motes one of three general ends — the welfare of a man’s 
self, that of his offspring, and that of his fellow-citizens. Wo 
do not ordinarily, indeed, Mr. Spencer observes, emphasize 
the ethical judgments w T e pass on Belf-rcganling act- a 
fact which he explains by the consideration that the self- 
regarding desires are generally strong enough and do not 
need moral enforcement. But when we turn to the rearing 
of offspring, a mother is termed good “ who, ministering 
to all the physical needs of her children, also adjusts her 
behaviour in ways conducive to their mental health;” and 
similarly with the father. But “ most emphatic are tho 
applications of the w r ords good and bad to conduct through- 
out that third division of it comprising the deeds by which 
men affect one another. In maintaining their own lives 
and fostering their offspring, men’s adjustments of acts to 
ends are so apt to hinder the kindred adjustments of other 
men, that insistance on the needful limitations has to be per- 
petual ; and the mischiefs caused by men's interferences with 
each other’s life-subserving actions are so great that tho 
interdicts have to be peremptory. Ilence the fact that the 
words good and bad have come to be specially associated with 
acts which further the complete living of others, and acts 
which obstruct their complete living. Goodness, standing by 
itself, suggests, above all other things, the conduct of one 
who aids the sick in re-acquiring normal vitality, assists 
the unfortunate to recover the means of maintaining them- 
selves, defends those who are threatened with harm in person, 
property, or reputation, and aids whatever promises to improve 
the living of all his fellows. Contrariwise, badness brings to 
mind, as its leading correlative, the conduct of one who, in 
carrying on his own life, damages the lives of others, by in juring 
their bodies, destroying their possessions, defrauding them, 
calumniating them” (p. 24). 
7. It will be necessary to return to this passage; but for the 
purpose of observing the fallacy more particularly in view, let 
us pass on to the deductions Mr. Spencer draws from these 
observations. He has argued in a previous chapter that 
evolution reaches its highest stage when conduct “ simul- 
