186 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



is developed the altruistic sentiment of justice. On the one hand, 

 the implication is that the altruistic sentiment of justice can come 

 into existence only in the course of adaptation to social life. On 

 the other hand the implication is that social life is made possible 

 only by maintenance of those equitable relations which imply the 

 altruistic sentiment of justice. How can these reciprocal require- 

 ments be fulfilled ? 



The answer is that the altruistic sentiment of justice can come 

 into existence only by the aid of a sentiment which temporarily 

 supplies its place and restrains the actions prompted by pure ego- 

 ism — a pro-altruistic sentiment of justice as we may call it. This 

 has several components which we must successively glance at. 



The first deterrent from aggression is one which we see among 

 animals at large — the fear of retaliation. Among creatures of the 

 same species the food obtained by one or place of vantage taken 

 possession of by it, is in some measure insured to it by the dread 

 which most others feel of the vengeance which may follow any 

 attempt to take it away ; and among men, especially during primi- 

 tive stages of social life, it is chiefly such dread which secures for 

 each man free scope for his activities, and exclusive use of what- 

 ever they bring him. 



A further restraint is the fear of reprobation shown by uncon- 

 cerned members of the group. Though in the expulsion of a 

 " rogue " elephant from the herd, or the slaying of a sinning mem- 

 ber of the flock by rooks or storks, we see that even among ani- 

 mals individuals suffer from an adverse public opinion ; yet it 

 is scarcely probable that among animals expectation of general 

 dislike prevents encroachment. But among mankind, " looking 

 before and after " to a greater extent, the thought of social dis- 

 grace is usually an additional check on ill-behavior of man to 

 man. 



To these feelings, which come into play before there is any 

 social organization, have to be added those which arise after 

 political authority establishes itself. When a successful leader in 

 war acquires permanent headship, and comes to have at heart the 

 maintenance of his power, there arises in him a desire to prevent 

 the trespasses of his people one against another ; since the result- 

 ing dissensions weaken his tribe. The rights of personal venge- 

 ance and, as in feudal times, of private war, are restricted ; 

 and, simultaneously, there grow up interdicts on the acts which 

 cause them. Dread of the penalties which follow breaches of 

 these, is an added restraint. 



Ancestor-worship in general, developing as the society devel- 

 ops into special propitiation of the dead chiefs ghost, and pres- 

 ently the dead king's ghost, gives to the injunctions he uttered 

 during life increased sanctity ; and when, with establishment of 



