Outlines of a Critical Theory of Ethics

s, but the consideration of the latter side?the recognition of obligation?may be best dealt with in discussing conscience. Here we shall deal simply with the fact that there is such a thing in conduct as law controlling action, and constituting obligation. Theories regarding obligation may, for our purposes, be subdivided into those which make its exercise restraint or coercion (and which therefore hold that in perfect moral conduct, duty as such disappears); and those which hold that obligation is a normal element in conduct as such, and that it is not, essentially, but only under certain circumstances, coercive. Of the former type, some theories (mainly the hedonistic) regard the restraint as originally imposed from without upon the desires of the individual, while others (as the Kantian) regard it as imposed by man's reason upon his desires and inclinations. XLIII. Bain's It is obvious that the question Theory of of obligation presents considerable Obligation, difficulty to the hedonistic school. If the end of conduct is pleasure, as the satisfaction of desire, why should not each desire be satisfied, if possible, as it arises, and thus pleasure secured? What meaning is there in the term ' duty' or ' obligation' if the moral end or good coincides wholly with the natural end of the inclinations themselves ? It is evident, at all events, that the term can have significance only if there is some cause preventing the desires as they arise from natural sati...