ENDS AND MEANS

the universe at large? It is with such questions that I
shall deal in the last three chapters. To the 'practical
man' they may seem irrelevant. But in fact they are not.
It is -in the light of our beliefs about the ultimate nature
of reality that we formulate our conceptions of right and
wrong; and it is in the light of our conceptions of right
and wrong that we frame our conduct, not only in the
relations of private life, but also in the sphere of politics
and economics. So far from being irrelevant, our meta-
physical beliefs are the finally dete'rmining factor in all
our actions. That is why it has seemed to me necessary
to round off my cookery book of practical recipes with a
discussion of first principles. The last three chapters are
the most significant and, even from the purely practical
point of view, the most important in the book.

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