Page:Mind (Old Series) Volume 11.djvu/333

332 s. COIT : the immediate increase of social happiness ; or they have not at all taken into consideration what men's conscious purpose should be. On the other hand, with many modern socialistic and religious reformers the direct object of action has been " to create the kingdom of joy ". Now in proportion as the realisation of an object is seen to be distant, its power over the imagination and emotions is weakened. The thought of the final triumph of righteousness and peace on earth en- kindles the heart and will in. proportion as its coming is felt to be near at hand. And socialistic enthusiasts have really believed it to be near, or have thought they could suddenly perhaps by violence bring it near. But so far as merely human calculations are to be relied upon, the kingdom of heaven is not near at hand. Accordingly, it is an argument in favour either of right activity itself or of the satisfaction of the sense of duty as over against universal happiness, that their attainment is immediate. But there is a far more serious objection to the adoption of universal happiness as the final aim of conduct. Its ulti- mate attainment can never be positively assured. It would therefore be an irresistible argument in favour of any other aim, if, in other respects equally eligible, it could be shown to be unconditionally attainable. Such an end would make despair and even discouragement impossible, and would satisfy the cravings of our nature for what is sure and abiding. But further, which is of more importance, only such an object could be an unfailing stimulus to moral effort. The effort to obtain any object naturally diminishes in proportion as the chances of success seem unfavourable ; and it ceases entirely when the object appears to be quite out of reach. Only when we affirm its existence does the thought of a future thing awaken the same emotions and impulses as the image of it, when present, produces. The thought of other existent objects, which would exclude its existence, disturbs the emotions which the thought of it as existent produces. It is true, some men shut their eyes to the facts before them and, rather than lose grounds for hope, project false ones out of their own fancy and desire. But such a device for inventing hope does not deserve a place in any system of ethics. We must rather say that any object would be unfit to be made the final aim of life in proportion as external circumstances could possibly prevent its attain- ment. The moral nature of man demands an object, which he may be sure no other power in the universe than himself can thwart ; for doubt, the fear that chance may baffle, unnerves the will. Now there are innumerable external