MOTHER. Why do the females, and often males among animals experience an inclination or attraction to take care of the young?
DAUGHTER. In order to preserve them and to educate them as far as is in their power, that they may be able to provide for themselves.
MOTHER. Are you quite sure, my children, that the end of these attractions is not the attraction itself, the procurement of a pleasure?
SON. The pleasure seems to me only the means of impelling the being to fulfill a necessary or useful function. Thus the end of our scientific, artistic and industrial inclinations or attractions is not the pleasure which we take in their satisfaction, but the production of science, art and industry.
DAUGHTER. That is, the increase and progress of our intellect through the knowledge of the laws of Nature, in order to modify this nature with a view to our wants and pleasures.
MOTHER. To what inclination or attraction is Society due?
SON. To our attraction for our fellow beings.
DAUGHTER. This attraction is the father of Justice and of Goodness: it produces them.
MOTHER. Will you generalize the character of this inclination or attraction in accordance with what we have just said?
SON. The end of all attraction or inclination is the production, progress and preservation of beings.