of a true ethical system is to find the interests of mankind in the interests of the individual. And now, as we stand on the threshold of a new era--a new world in search of its soul--what better precept can we have than the simple words of the great thinker who, three hundred years ago, also stood on the threshold of a new world of thought? "Il suffit de bien juger pour bien faire, et de juger le mieux qu'on puisse, pour faire aussi tout son mieux, c'est-à-dire, pour acquérir toutes les vertus, et ensemble tous les autres biens, qu'on puisse acquérir; et lorsqu'on est certain que cela est, on ne saurait manquer d'être content."--Descartes, "Discours de la Méthode." G. P. R. HINTON ST. MARY, DORSET _January 1, 1919_ FOOTNOTES: [1] Hume's "Autobiography." [2] This is the position of the Idealistic schools and is adopted in Professor Sorley's recently published Gifford Lectures, "Moral Values and the Idea of God." [3] This relationship may be expressed in psychological terms. Dr. McDougall expresses it thus: "Objects have value for us in proportion as they excite our conative tendencies; our consciousness of their value, positive or negative, is our consciousness of the strength of the conation they awake in us."--"Body and Mind," p. 329. CONTENTS CHAP. PAGE I. INTRODUCTION 1 The importance ascribed to the word "conscience" by public opinion: by the State: by the Church: need for examination of its credentials II. THE VALIDITY OF MORAL JUDGMENTS 7 Theism and Determinism: the Intuitive schools: the Rationalistic schools: recognition of Good: the facts stated: the Utilitarian standard demanded III. THE MEANING OF MORAL OBLIGATION 20 The argument against Utilitarianism: Mill's defence of Utilitarianism: a variation of Mill's position: the principle of proximity: the meaning of Truth: duty: an illustration from history: Robert E. Lee IV. RELIGION AND MORALITY 32 Probing the essentials: the need for a moral code: its artificial character: the deeper morality: Morality and Religion: religious and political fanaticism: moral values and psychic force: Monism and Duality: a reconciliation of systems: conservation of the soul: education and the formation of opinion. V. THE LAWS OF SUGGESTION AND "SUBJECTIVE MIND" 44