[lxxxiv. 41]

1821 Decr 13

Codification Proposal

Appendix

Sinister Interests etc

II. Interest©begotten prejudices.

If the influence of particular interests [...?...?] with and consequently /thus/ adverse to the universal interest is /may with propriety be termed/ sinister, so is /may/ the several correspondent interest©begotten prejudices. In whatsoever mode /shape/ and degree the sinister interest tends to promote the sinister sacrifice, in the same mode and degree does the correspondent interest©begotten prejudice tend /operate/ to the same sinister end.

When the operation of the sinister interest as such is considered, the state of the understanding /intellectual faculty/ is not considered. Of the will /volitional faculty/ only is the state considered: of the will as determined /being/ in respect of the direction taken by it /in which it acts/ determined by the forces which in a direct manner operate upon it in a direct manner, namely the eventual expectation of pleasures [?] pains [?], and the corresponding desires producing the effect of ”motive•.

In so far as it is in the operation of interest©begotten prejudices that the course taken by the will and the active faculties has its immediate cause, the understanding /state of the intellectual faculties/ © the judgment has received its determination from the unperceived operation of the will. Where it is by the force of interest alone that a man is led into a course /line/ of action adverse to the greatest happiness of the greatest number he sees that self©regard is the efficient cause of his action and that social regard either has no place in his [...?] or is sacrificed /overpowered/ by self©regard: where it is by the force of interest©begotten prejudice that the effect /course of action/ is produced, the case is either that the sinister influence of his conduct on the greatest happiness is not perceived by him /present to his perception/ or that some how or other not that but some other is regarded by him presents itself to his mind as the proper end of Government.