7. similarly with other virtues: even the prohibition of Suicide,
so far as rational, seems to rest ultimately on utilitarian
grounds. 355-357
8. Even Purity when we force ourselves to examine it rigorously
yields no clear independent principle. 357-359
9. The common moral maxims are adequate for practical guidance,
but do not admit of being elevated into scientific axioms. 359-361
CHAPTER XII
MOTIVES OR SPRINGS OF ACTION AS SUBJECTS OF MORAL JUDGMENT
1. It has been held by several moralists that the “Universal
Conscience” judges primarily not of Rightness of acts, but of Rank
of Motives. 362-365
2. If, however, we include the Moral Sentiments among these
motives, this latter view involves all the difficulties and
perplexities of the former, yet it is paradoxical to omit these
sentiments. 365-367
3. But even if we leave these out, we still find very little
agreement as to Rank of Motives: and there is a special difficulty
arising from complexity of motive. Nor does Common Sense seem to
hold that a “higher” motive--below the highest--is always to be
preferred to a “lower.” 367-372
CHAPTER XIII
PHILOSOPHICAL INTUITIONISM
1. The Philosopher, as such, attempts to penetrate beneath the
surface of Common Sense to some deeper principles: 373-374
2. but has too often presented to the world, as the result of his
investigation, tautological propositions and vicious circles. 374-379
3. Still there are certain abstract moral principles of real
importance, intuitively known; though they are not sufficient by
themselves to give complete practical guidance. Thus we can exhibit
a self-evident element in the commonly recognised principles of
Prudence, Justice, and Benevolence. 379-384
4. This is confirmed by a reference to Clarke’s and Kant’s
systems: 384-386
5. and also to Utilitarianism: which needs for its basis a
self-evident principle of Rational Benevolence; as is shown by
a criticism of Mill’s “proof.” 386-389
Note 389-390
CHAPTER XIV
ULTIMATE GOOD
1. The notion of Virtue, as commonly conceived, cannot without a
logical circle be identified with the notion of Ultimate Good: 391-394
2. nor is it in accordance with Common Sense to regard Subjective
Rightness of Will, or other elements of Perfection, as
constituting Ultimate Good. 394-395
3. What is ultimately good or desirable must be Desirable
Consciousness. 395-397
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