[036-122v]

1821 May 14

Codification Offer

'.4. Draughtsman single

First then as to absolute aptitude as just explained. On the part of the draught, absolute aptitude will be as the relative aptitude of the workman or workmen by whom it is composed. As in other political situations, so in this, appropriate aptitude divides itself into three branches: appropriate moral aptitude, appropriate intellectual aptitude, and appropriate active talent: and in the case of intellectual aptitude appropriate knowledge and appropriate judgement may require to be distinguished.

As to appropriate moral aptitude, in the present case it consists in neither more nor less than the disposition, so it be the effectual disposition, to take from first to last for the object pursued in and by the work, the all-comprehensive and only justifiable end so often mentioned.

It is this which in the order of importance and thence of regard claims the first place: for wherever /in so far as/ in this shape aptitude is deficient the work may, instead of coming near to that end, be found to have been made to diverge from it but the further, by any extraordinary degree of appropriate aptitude in those other shapes. If so it be that, has among its objects, the formation of some particular interest - and this at the expence and by the sacrifice of the greatest happiness of the greatest number, the more consummate the aptitude of the workman in respect of intellectual power and active talent in relation to that end, the more extreme will be that sacrifice.