Theoretical Ethics — Milton Valentine
You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org . If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook. Title : Theoretical Ethics Author : M. Valentine Release date : June 29, 2013 [eBook #43062] Most recently updated: October 23, 2024 Language : English Other information and formats : www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/43062 Credits : E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, Charlie Howard, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) *** START OF D., LL. D. Ex-President of Pennsylvania College, and Professor of Theology in the Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg, Pa., Author of "Natural Theology or Rational Theism." CHICAGO SCOTT, FORESMAN & CO. 1900 Copyright, 1897, by Scott, Foresman & Co. PRESS OF THE HENRY O. SHEPARD CO. CHICAGO PREFACE. E thical 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 – 8