THE END OF LAISSEZ-FAIRE

greatest number is the sole rational objectof conduct—taking Utility from Hume ,but forgetting that sage man’s cynicalcorollary : “’Tis not contrary to reason toprefer the destruction of the whole world tothe scratching of my finger. ’Tis not contraryto reason for me to choose my total ruin toprevent the least uneasiness of an Indian, orperson totally unknown to me. . . . Reasonis and ought only to be the slave of the passions,and can never pretend to any other office thanto serve and obey them.”

Rousseau derived equality from the State ofNature, Paley from the Will of God, Bentham from a mathematical law of Indifference.Equality and altruism had thus enteredpolitical philosophy, and from Rousseau andBentham in conjunction sprang both De-mocracy and Utilitarian Socialism.

This is the second current—sprung fromlong-dead controversies, and carried on its wayby long-exploded sophistries—which still per-meates our atmosphere of thought. But itdid not drive out the former current. It

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