instincts will probably always be found to be too weak in the majority of persons, and society will need to cultivate in all its members by every incitement and inducement, a desire for the virtues of wisdom and economy, and the disposition to extend the scope of these virtues beyond their private affairs to the interests of society. All the virtues need to become objects of abstract sentiments—so that all persons will esteem each virtue as good for its own sake. People will always need to be taught to cultivate these virtues in connection with sentimental regard for socialized institutions.[1]
While the virtues are objective, they are not static; it is to be observed that they have had and will continue to have a history. The extension of tender emotion to ever widening circles of humanity and more details of life may be expected to continue indefinitely justice, benevolence, and economy will continue to become increasingly comprehensive and to progress towards the inclusion of all persons in all the aspects of their life. Ever increasing cultivation of learning and practical wisdom will be requisite to order conduct in accordance with advancing civilization.
Social psychology has yielded us an objective set of virtues. Can these be reduced to a common good capable of formal statement? In a general way it can be said that since these virtues are all required of every individual, they must in some way be coordinated to give him a character; and since individuals must live in the society of their fellows, that the virtues must make for social cooperation. The largely social nature of consciousness and of the self are significant in this connection. But when all is said, the virtues can never be reduced to an identical unity, but at best to a more or less organic coordination. They refer to different instincts, and man will attain them best if he keeps them distinct in his mind, just as he will engage best in any form of physical activity if he distinguishes between his arms and legs; but, as this comparison suggests, he must co- ordinate his instincts for given ends, and to that extent make of them an organic unity. But civilization evolves too rapidly,
- ↑ Cf. McDougall, "The Will of the People," Sociological Review, April, 1912.
