ANALYSIS OF CONTENTS

PART I

THE STANDARD

CHAPTER I

THE SCOPE AND METHOD OF COMPARATIVE ETHICS

(1) The guidance of life by acknowledged principles is peculiar

to humanity; (2) Yet throughout the organic world action

is regulated-in the lowest stages by hereditary structure;

(3) As such it takes the form of Reflex Action, or of Instinct.

(4) Among the higher animals instinctive action is modified

by the intelligent use of experience. (5) In man instinct

appears as hereditary character, the operation of which is

largely shaped by tradition. (6) Traditional custom arises

from the interaction of personal forces; (7) and the morality

which it embodies is imperfect; (8) but must from the first

correspond roughly with the essential conditions of social

life, and as intelligence grows is re-modelled by a more

distinct conception of the good. (9) The history of the

conception of the good is the proper subject of Comparative

Ethics. Religious and social developments must be traced so

far as they affect this conception; (10) and without writing

a history of conduct we must distinguish between ideals

and work-a-day rules of action. (11) Difficulties in applying

the Comparative Method due to the blending of similarity

with difference in ethical conceptions. (12) Our first aim

must be a classification of ethical types which we must,

next, compare with different stages of general development;

(13) dealing first with the Standard of action and then with

the Basis we may finally approach the question whether

there is or is not a discernible line of Ethical development.

CHAPTER II

FORMS OF SOCIAL ORGANIZATION

(1) Social organization if never wholly lacking, is in some cases

very rudimentary; (2) as among the Veddahs (3) and the

Yahgans. (4) Forms of Social organization may be classified

in accordance with the principle of union which lies at their

base. In early societies kinship is the most important

principle; (5) The development of the clan and tribe;

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BY THE SAME AUTHOR

MIND IN EVOLUTION.

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