Chapter VII: Classification of Duties. Truth

1. I have not adopted the classification of duties into Social and Self-regarding: as it seems inappropriate to the Intuitional method, of which the characteristic is, that it lays down certain absolute and independent rules: such as the rule of Truth. 312-315

2. But Common Sense after all scarcely seems to prescribe truth-speaking under all circumstances: nor to decide clearly whether the beliefs which we are bound to make true are those directly produced by our words or the immediate inferences from these. 315-317

3. It is said that the general allowance of Unveracity would be suicidal, as no one would believe the falsehood. But this argument, though forcible, is not decisive; for (1) this result may be in special circumstances desirable, or (2) we may have reason to expect that it will not occur. 317-319

Note 319

CHAPTER VIII

OTHER SOCIAL DUTIES AND VIRTUES

1. Common opinion sometimes condemns sweepingly malevolent feelings and volitions: but Reflective Common Sense seems to admit some as legitimate, determining the limits of this admission on utilitarian grounds. 320-324

2. Other maxims of social duty seem clearly subordinate to those already discussed: as is illustrated by an examination of Liberality and other cognate notions. 324-326

CHAPTER IX

SELF-REGARDING VIRTUES

1. The general duty of seeking one’s own happiness is commonly recognised under the notion of Prudence. 327-328

2. This as specially applied to the control of bodily appetites is called Temperance: but under this notion a more rigid restraint is sometimes thought to be prescribed: though as to the principle of this there seems no agreement. 328-329

3. Nor is it easy to give a clear definition of the maxim of Purity--but in fact common sense seems averse to attempt this. We must note, however, that suicide is commonly judged to be absolutely wrong. 329-331

CHAPTER X

COURAGE, HUMILITY, ETC.

1. The Duty of Courage is subordinate to those already discussed: and in drawing the line between the Excellence of Courage and the Fault of Foolhardiness we seem forced to have recourse to considerations of expediency. 332-334

2. Similarly the maxim of Humility seems either clearly subordinate or not clearly determinate. 334-336