This organ views all actions in their moral aspect. It operates as an
internal monitor, prescribing to its possessor the claims of truth
and duty. Its power, however, does not enable it to decide upon what
is abstractly just or unjust. This is affected by the character of
the other organs with which it is combined. A person with large
conscientiousness, and large Selfish Propensities, will consider an
action just, which another, with the same amount of Conscientiousness,
and smaller propensities, will consider unjust. This organ is essential
to the formation of a truly philosophic mind, especially in moral
investigations. It produces the desire of discovering the tact of
recognising it when discovered, and that perfect reliance on its
invincible supremacy which gives at once dignity and peace to the mind.
Predominant.--When this organ predominates, the individual looks always
and only for truth, and receives it from whatever source it comes. He
is thus disposed to regulate his conduct by the wisest sentiments of
justice, which imparts an earnestness, integrity and directness in his
manner, that leaves no room to doubt of his sincerity. He desires to
act justly from the love of justice, unbiased by fear, interest or any
sinister motive. When the actions have been contrary to the dictates
of this organ, it produces remorse, repentance, a sense of guilt and
demerit.
Large.--With this organ large, and the Selfish Propensities moderate,
one will be eminently just and honest in all his dealings. He can
never be brought to sacrifice duty to expediency. With large Firmness
and Combativeness, he will be particularly firm, bold and decided on
all questions of moral duty. He will never shrink from the advocacy
of right, or from sustaining the defenceless from the unjust attacks
of their enemies. If with this combination, Destructiveness is large,
he will be inclined to severely censure any trickery or dishonesty in
others; and if Causality is not large, he will consider himself the
standard of truth and justice, by which all others must be judged.
Moderate.--With but a moderate developement of this organ, one will
endeavour to act justly; and if Causality and Comparison are large,
and the Selfish Propensities small, he will generally do so; but if
the Selfish Propensities are very strong, he will be guided more by
considerations of interest than of duty. If with this combination,
and Adhesiveness large, while he will take advantage of a stranger in
a pecuniary transaction, no power of circumstances can induce him to
trespass on the rights of a friend. His compunctions of conscience will
be few and feeble. He will not be scrupulous about what he requires of
others, seeming to claim as a right, that they should make sacrifices
to his interest and inclination. He will look more to the effect that
actions and opinions will have upon himself, than upon their moral
character. If Love of Approbation, Secretiveness and Destructiveness
are large, he will be likely to indulge in harsh, censorious and unjust
remarks upon the character of his neighbours, while at the same time,
if Acquisitiveness is moderate or small, he will be strictly just in
all his dealings.
Small.--With Conscientiousness small, one will have few or no
compunctions of conscience; he will be ever ready to justify himself to
himself, have little or no regard for moral principle, and an imperfect
idea of right and wrong in the abstract. With large Self-esteem,
Benevolence, and Adhesiveness, and with small Acquisitiveness and
Secretiveness, he may be honest and kind-hearted in his general
conduct, but it will be because he considers it dishonourable and
unmanly to commit a mean action, and because it pains his Benevolence
and Adhesiveness to injure another. With this combination he will
extol his friends in the highest terms, but if he gets angry with them,
he will traduce and vilify them, being in both cases regardless of
their true merit. If Love of Approbation is large, he will adopt every
means to please without regard to justice or propriety.