[PREFACE.]

Ethical Theory has felt the full force of recent scientific and philosophical agitation. The earlier systems have been subject to earnest and continued discussion. The severest tests available by the progress of knowledge have been applied to both their premises and their conclusions. New theories, based on changed conceptions of man and the world, have been variously elaborated, presenting greatly altered views of the whole phenomenon of morality. While not overthrowing old views these have given instructive suggestions. The ethical field has thus been largely re-surveyed, and whatever light modern science and speculation have furnished has been thrown upon this great and unceasingly important subject. In some respects the agitation has brought confusion and uncertainty. The clash of theories has been disturbing. But on the whole ethical philosophy has been the gainer. The discussions have certified the immovable foundations and essential features of the moral system. The fresh light from the advance of knowledge has proved, as it always does, not destructive, but corrective and confirmatory. The abiding truth has been shown and vindicated by the ordeal through which it has passed.

This volume is largely the outcome of the author's many years of class-room lecturing on the subject. Its object is to furnish for students and general readers a compendious view of the ethical facts and principles as the author believes them to be established by the best accredited knowledge and thought of our times. There seems to be room for such a work. The method is believed to give proper recognition to both the empirical and metaphysical sides of the subject. Starting from the universal phenomenon of moral distinctions in life, it determines the conscience psychologically, as a rationally intuitive power discerning the moral distinction and the reality and authority of moral law. The implications of conscience and moral law necessarily become theistic. The metaphysical examination finds for the real phenomena of the subjective faculty the objective and abiding reality of the ethical law which the faculty discerns, and the right or morally good itself so perceived as consisting proximately in a conformity of conduct with the relations of life in which moral requirement meets human freedom, and as ultimately grounded in the absolute and perfect source of the moral constitution of the universe. The movement carries to the conclusion of eternal and immutable moral law. The disclosures of revelation confirm the ethical law of the natural reason, completing the moral view and supplying, in the divine forces of Christianity, the proper dynamic for the realization of the ethical life.

The volume is humbly sent forth in the hope that it may contribute somewhat to the cause of truth and prove quickening to the life of duty and righteousness.

Gettysburg, Dec. 1, 1896.

[CONTENTS.]

CHAPTER I.
DEFINITION AND GENERAL DIVISIONS.
PAGES
1.Definition and Statement of the Subject-matter[15]–[17]
2.Historical Glance at the Beginning and Progress of the Science[17]–[20]
3.Theoretical and Practical[20]–[23]
4.Relations to Psychology, Natural Theology, and Christian Theology[23]–[27]
CHAPTER II.
THE FACT OF MORAL DISTINCTIONS.
1.Revealed in Personal Consciousness[28]–[29]
2.Incorporated in the Social Organism[29]
3.Witnessed to in History[29]–[31]
4.Shown in the Religious World[31]–[33]
5.Pervades Literature[33]–[34]
6.Ethnic and Anthropological Information[34]–[35]
7.Unaffected by Theories of its Cause or Significance[35]–[36]
CHAPTER III.
FACULTY OF MORAL DISTINCTIONS—THE EXISTENCE OF CONSCIENCE.
1.The Importance of this Question[37]–[39]
2.Proofs of its Existence[39]–[55]
1.The Moral Distinctions in Personal Consciousness and the World[39]–[40]
2.The Peculiar Character of its Perceptions[40]–[44]
3.Special Feelings from its Perceptions[44]–[47]
4.Objection from Diversity of Moral Judgments Noticed[47]–[53]
5.These Proofs Independent of the Mode of the Origin of the Power[53]–[55]
CHAPTER IV.
THE FACULTY OF MORAL DISTINCTIONS—THE NATURE OF CONSCIENCE.
1.The Importance of Determining its Nature[56]–[59]
1.For Scientific Accuracy[56]–[57]
2.As Involving the Authority of Conscience[57]–[59]
2.A Psychological Question[59]
3.Conscience in place only in the Total Complex of Man's Psychical Powers[59]–[62]
4.Specific Psychology of Conscience[62]–[76]
1.Perception of the Ethical Distinction[62]–[64]
2.Perception of Obligation[64]–[67]
3.Identification of the Moral Quality in Acts[67]–[68]
4.Perception of Merit and Demerit[68]–[72]
5.Emotions Arising from these Perceptions[72]–[76]
5.Special Characteristics Disclosed[76]–[80]
1.Conscience Fundamentally Intellectual[76]–[77]
2.Moral Quality its Sole Percept[77]–[78]
3.Its Action Marked by Necessity[78]–[80]
6.Relation of Phenomenalistic Philosophy to this View[80]–[83]
7.Effect of Theistic Evolution Theory[83]–[85]
CHAPTER V.
THE SUPREMACY OF CONSCIENCE.
1.Involved in the Sphere of its Judgments[86]–[87]
2.Shown by the Nature of its Action[87]–[88]
3.The Absurdity of a Possible Supremacy in any other Faculty[88]–[92]
4.Difficulties Considered[92]–[99]
CHAPTER VI.
MORAL AGENCY.
1.Rational Intelligence[102]–[104]
2.The Conscience[104]–[105]
3.Free Will[105]–[115]
4.Powers of Sensibility and Action[115]–[118]
CHAPTER VII.
THE REALITY OF RIGHT AND WRONG.
1.The Source of Doubt the Relativity of Knowledge[120]–[125]
2.Positive Statement of the Reality[125]–[129]
1.The Moral Distinctions and Qualities not merely Subjective Phenomena but Objectively Real for Perception[125]–[126]
2.Independent of the Mental Organization of the Race[127]
3.Immutable and Eternal[127]–[129]
3.The Importance of this Truth[129]–[130]
4.Marks of the Dividing Line between True and False Moral Philosophies[130]–[132]
5.The Relation of Evolutionism to this Reality[132]–[137]
1.Theistic Evolution[132]–[133]
2.Atheistic and Materialistic Evolution[133]–[137]
CHAPTER VIII.
THE GROUND OF RIGHT.
1.The Question Defined[138]–[139]
2.Leading Views and Theories:
The Egyptian Teaching​—​Chinese​—​Indian​—​Persian​—​Greek​—​Roman​—​Divine Absolutism​—​Civil Authority​—​Utilitarianism​—​Evolutionary Utilitarianism​—​Failure of Utilitarianism​—​Plausible Side of Utilitarian Theory—Theory of Conformity to Relations—Spiritual Excellence Theory—Theory of an Imperative in its Own Right[140]–[167]
CHAPTER IX.
THE GROUND OF RIGHT—CONTINUED.
1.Statement of Proximate Ground[168]–[178]
1.Sustained by the Moral Consciousness in Constant Experience[171]–[172]
2.Implied in the Logical Pre-suppositions to Responsibility[172]–[175]
3.Verified in the Character of the Various Virtues and their Opposite Immoralities[175]–[176]
4.Supported by Analogy of Organic and Instinctive Action[176]–[177]
5.Assumed in the Conceptions and Language of Common Life[178]
2.The Ultimate Ground[178]–[181]
CHAPTER X.
THE OBJECTS OF THE MORAL JUDGMENT.
1.Personal Actions[182]–[187]
2.The Various Feelings, Passions, and Desires[187]–[190]
3.Intentions[190]–[191]
4.The Activities and Uses of the Intellect[191]–[192]
5.Acts of the Will[192]–[195]
CHAPTER XI
THE ETHICAL VIEW UNDER CHRISTIAN TEACHING.
1.Christianity Recognizes the Truths and Principles Established in True Ethical Science[196]–[197]
2.It Contributes Immensely to the Ethical View[197]–[200]
3.The Two Sources of the Christian View[200]–[205]
1.Primarily, the Sacred Scriptures[201]–[204]
2.Secondarily, the Christian Moral Consciousness[204]–[205]
4.Particular Features of the Christian View[205]–[216]
1.Known Duties Made More Distinct and Definite[205]–[206]
2.Human Relations Better Disclosed[206]–[208]
3.Moral Obligations Disclosed as Duties to God[208]–[210]
4.Guilt of Offending against Moral Law[210]–[213]
5.The Universalism of the Moral Law[213]–[215]
6.Fulfilment Requires Regeneration[215]–[216]
CHAPTER XII.
THE ETHICAL TASK UNDER CHRISTIANITY.
1.Helped by the Completion of the Ethical View[219]–[220]
2.Quickened by Assurance of Success[220]–[222]
3.The Religious Interest Brought to Reinforce the Moral[222]–[224]
4.The Enlightening and Enforcing Power of the Holy Spirit[224]–[225]
5.Through Spiritual Regeneration[225]–[227]