CHAPTER IV.

MENTAL LAWS ARE EITHER MORAL OR INTELLECTUAL. COMPARISON OF MORAL AND INTELLECTUAL LAWS, AND INQUIRY INTO THE EFFECT PRODUCED BY EACH ON THE PROGRESS OF SOCIETY.

The historical method of studying mental laws is superior to the metaphysical method 168-174

The progress of society is twofold, moral and intellectual 174-175

Comparison of the moral with the intellectual element 175

There is no evidence that the natural faculties of man improve 176-177

Progress, therefore, depends on an improvement in the circumstances under which the faculties come into play 178

The standard of action having varied in every age, the causes of action must be variable 179

But moral truths have not changed 179

And intellectual truths are constantly changing 181

Intellectual truths are the cause of progress 182

Ignorant men are mischievous in proportion to their sincerity 183-185

Illustrations of this from Rome and Spain 185-188

The diminution of religious persecution is owing to the progress of knowledge 188-190

The diminution of the warlike spirit is owing to the same cause 190-192

Illustrations from Russia and Turkey 195-197

As civilization advances, men of intellect avoid becoming soldiers 198

Illustrations of this from ancient Greece and modern Europe 198-202

The three principal ways in which the progress of knowledge has lessened the warlike spirit are: 1. The invention of gunpowder 203-209 2. The discoveries made by political economists 210-211 3. The application of steam to purposes of travelling 219-223

Inference to be drawn as to the causes of social progress 224-226