Excerpt from The Relation of Evolutionary Theory, to Ethical Problems: With Special Reference to Method The investigation of which this thesis is the outcome, had its origin in a desire to reach a conclusion with regard to the value of the method followed by the great evolutionists in biology when they approached psychological or ethical questions. It is evident that what is at stake in such an investigation is not, in the first instance, the great ethical concepts, for every one would recognize a place for 'duty', 'obligation', 'virtue', etc. The ethical schools differ in their interpretation of these terms by reason of the conceptions of motive, moral criterion, etc. It was very soon recognized that the aspect of the subject which was really Vital was the method of approaching these questions rather than, in the first instance, the solutions reached. For this reason it was felt that in order to appreciate the position of the modern evolutionist, it was necessary to under stand the theories, both psychological and biological, with which he approached the ethical problem. It is the attempt to understand the evolutionist in a sympathetic way which led to the somewhat extensive exposition of Part I. For clearness we have confined the discussion of this part almost altogether to the broad question of the use of the evolutionary method in psychology. Very naturally, then, Part II. Had to be taken up with a discussion of the ethical content, for which, under some form, all moralists have to provide a theory. In Part III. The conclusions reached in Parts I. And II. Have been briefly summarized. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.