Evolutionary Philosophy and the German War. fie 
They do not in any way constitute a denial that progressive develop- 
ment takes place, for that is a matter of common observation, but they 
do deny that natural selection is the all-powerful causal factor in bring- 
ing about that development. 
The second point of the German war-biologists is that natural selec- 
tion is applicable to the human race and the nations of the world just 
as it is to the lower animals. It must be admitted without question that 
there is a tendency for mankind to follow the same natural laws that 
the lower forms of life do, but this tendency is very often modified. 
Man does not owe his development to any one factor exclusively, whether 
it-be natural selection or any other. Man differs from the lower animals 
in the degree to which the particular factor in question is applicable in 
his evolution. Most animals are forced to adapt their mode of life to 
the conditions in which they live, but man can by his superior intelli- 
gence and ability adapt the environment to his own needs. He has 
ameliorated the severity of the struggle with climate and other physical 
forces not by growing heavy fur or seeking caves, but by taking the 
skins of other animals or the product of the fields to make himself 
clothing, and by building shelters which render him almost completely 
master of the elements. The individual whose eyes are too weak to 
endure a severe struggle with unfavorable nature or more vigorous 
competitors is not at a disadvantage, for he, or rather those with whom 
he co-operates, have devised lenses by which the eyes are strengthened 
and he is enabled to occupy his rightful place among his fellows. The 
human individual is rendered superior to his environment; his form of 
adaptability to the conditions of nature consists in an ability to adapt 
them to himself. Furthermore, what is true of the individual is only 
true in a larger measure of whole nations. 
Co-operation is the keynote in the life of mankind. Individuals 
organize themselves into communities, even among the ‘most primitive 
of peoples, and the communities band themselves together for the mu- 
tual benefit of all their members. In each community there is a division 
of labor by which all of society is helped to a more successful life. The 
city nations of the Europe of the Middle Ages have given way to the 
state nations of the present time, and now peaceful and harmonious 
dwelling together prevails over large areas, to the increasing prosperity 
of the inhabitants, where formerly conflict and warfare was the rule 
between the subjects of separate cities or of neighboring feudal lords. 
As allegiance to cities gave way to allegiance to states, co-operation was 
extended. In no other nation was the principle of such organization 
more developed than in Germany. The Germany of Kaiser Wilhelm II 
owed its strength and efficiency to its organization and co-operation. 
German thinkers of the present time are fond of saying that no nation 
that does not have an extremely centralized form of government devel- 
