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did it, the harm which might result from the omission; but
his whole being was urged on irresistibly. He did not act
with a part of himself but altogether. The power that pos-
sessed him seemed to have nothing to do with reason: all
that reason did was to point out the methods of obtaining
what his whole soul was striving for.
Macalister reminded him of the Categorical Imperative.
‘Act so that every action of yours should be capable of be-
coming a universal rule of action for all men.’
‘That seems to me perfect nonsense,’ said Philip.
‘You’re a bold man to say that of anything stated by Im-
manuel Kant,’ retorted Macalister.
‘Why? Reverence for what somebody said is a stultifying
quality: there’s a damned sight too much reverence in the
world. Kant thought things not because they were true, but
because he was Kant.’
‘Well, what is your objection to the Categorical Impera-
tive?’ (They talked as though the fate of empires were in the
balance.)
‘It suggests that one can choose one’s course by an ef-
fort of will. And it suggests that reason is the surest guide.
Why should its dictates be any better than those of passion?
They’re different. That’s all.’
‘You seem to be a contented slave of your passions.’
‘A slave because I can’t help myself, but not a contented
one,’ laughed Philip.
While he spoke he thought of that hot madness which
had driven him in pursuit of Mildred. He remembered how
he had chafed against it and how he had felt the degrada-