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The Descent of Man

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prompted by some exalted motive. But it appears<br />

scarcely possible to draw any clear line <strong>of</strong><br />

distinction <strong>of</strong> this kind. (25. I refer here to the<br />

distinction between what has been called MA-<br />

TERIAL and FORMAL morality. I am glad to<br />

find that Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Huxley ('Critiques and Addresses,'<br />

1873, p. 287) takes the same view on<br />

this subject as I do. Mr. Leslie Stephen remarks<br />

('Essays on Freethinking and Plain Speaking,'<br />

1873, p. 83), "the metaphysical distinction, between<br />

material and formal morality is as irrelevant<br />

as other such distinctions.") As far as exalted<br />

motives are concerned, many instances<br />

have been recorded <strong>of</strong> savages, destitute <strong>of</strong> any<br />

feeling <strong>of</strong> general benevolence towards mankind,<br />

and not guided by any religious motive,<br />

who have deliberately sacrificed their lives as<br />

prisoners(26. I have given one such case, namely<br />

<strong>of</strong> three Patagonian Indians who preferred<br />

being shot, one after the other, to betraying the<br />

plans <strong>of</strong> their companions in war ('Journal <strong>of</strong><br />

Researches,' 1845, p. 103).), rather than betray

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