Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from A Study of the Influence of Custom on the Moral Judgment
The study which follows is, an examination of the moral con sciousness of a small group of young men and young 'women connected with the University of Wisconsin. Reasons are of fered, however, for believing that the results obtained hold for a large section of the American and presumably, therefore, of European society. But no conclusions are drawn from our data as to the relation of custom and the moral code among semi civilized or still more primitive peoples. I trust my readers will exhibit a similar conservatism with regard to inferences in the reverse direction. Some of them will doubtless approach this study with very definite views of the place of custom in primitive morality. I hope they will not allow such views to prevent them from making an impartial examination of the material here presented. Of course the unity of the race creates a certain presumption that the fundamental forces at work at one stage of development will be found at all the other stages also. But this general presumption can not be final in a matter like that which is before us. Let it be assumed for the sake of argument that moral judgments are entirely unreasoned at the lower end of the scale of human existence. It will be admitted by everybody, I suppose, that they are largely, if not entirely, reasoned among the most intelligent and thoughtful members Of the most highly civilized communities, laymen as well as philosophers. This being granted, nothing but actual investi gation can determine how far down the scale this insight ex tends. The evidence adduced concerning any particular social group must therefore be allowed to stand or fall on its own merits.
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