3. It is certainly an essential condition that we should not
believe the act to be wrong; and this implies that we should
not believe it to be wrong for any similar person in similar
circumstances: but this implication, though it may supply a
valuable practical rule, cannot furnish a complete criterion of
right conduct. 207-210
4. The _existence_ of apparent cognitions of right conduct,
intuitively obtained, as distinct from their validity, will
scarcely be questioned; and to establish their validity it is not
needful to prove their ‘originality.’ 210-214
5. Both particular and universal intuitions are found in our
common moral thought: but it is for the latter that ultimate
validity is ordinarily claimed by intuitional moralists. We must
try, by reflecting on Common Sense, how far we can state these
Moral Axioms with clearness and precision. 214-216
CHAPTER II
VIRTUE AND DUTY
1. Duties are Right acts, for the adequate performance of which a
moral motive is at least occasionally necessary. Virtuous conduct
includes the performance of duties as well as praiseworthy acts
that are thought to go beyond strict duty, and that may even be
beyond the power of some to perform. 217-221
2. Virtues as commonly recognised, are manifested primarily in
volitions to produce particular right effects--which must at least
be thought by the agent to be not wrong--: but for the
completeness of some virtues the presence of certain emotions
seems necessary. 221-228
3. It may be said that Moral Excellence, like Beauty, eludes
definition: but if Ethical Science is to be constituted, we must
obtain definite Moral Axioms. 228-230
CHAPTER III
THE INTELLECTUAL VIRTUES
1. The common conception of Wisdom assumes a harmony of the ends of
different ethical methods: all of which--and not one rather than
another--the wise man is commonly thought to aim at and attain as
far as circumstances admit. 231-233
2. The Will is to some extent involved in forming wise decisions:
but more clearly in acting on them--whatever we may call the
Virtue thus manifested. 233-236
3. Of minor intellectual excellences, some are not strictly
Virtues: others are, such as Caution and Decision, being in
part voluntary. 236-237
Note 237
CHAPTER IV
BENEVOLENCE
1. The Maxim of Benevolence bids us to some extent _cultivate_
affections, and confer happiness 238-241
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