CHAP, xiu DARWINISM IN ETHICS ALEXANDER 133 



the best ; and as continuous evolution and adjustment 

 go on, the moral ideal must vary or be renewed in 

 correspondence with the facts of human progress. This 

 assertion is treated as showing us the prolongation of 

 the Darwinian struggle into new and higher regions. If 

 men do not habitually struggle against each other, to 

 the point of extinction for the vanquished and solitary 

 survival for the victor, ideals do so ; and the " creed 

 outworn " succumbs, while the ideal which is up to date 

 survives and predominates for a season. So it always 

 has been, so it always will be. 



Such constructions of ideas seem very much akin to 

 primitive mythology. Here too we have a metaphor, 

 and here too the speaker does not know or does not 

 remember that it is a metaphor, but treats it as a revela- 

 tion of absolute scientific truth. The author uses most of 

 the implications and inferences connected with Darwin's 

 analysis, and uses them with dogmatic confidence. He 

 never fully inquires what limits attend their use. Of 

 course, it is possible to represent progress in thought as 

 due to a competition between various types or ideals. 

 Let us grant this in the fullest way. Such language is 

 lawful ; it may be suggestive and valuable. But meta- 

 phors are treacherous things ; they leave out at least 

 half the truth. 



Natural selection takes place, or is alleged to take 

 place, through the struggle for existence, because there 

 is not room for all to live and be nourished side by side. 

 Every living organism cannot live out its full time and 

 transmit its peculiarities to offspring. But what forbids 

 moral ideals to exist side by side ? Truth to tell, they 

 have done so in the past, and do so yet in different 

 lands, or even in one land in different minds, or even 

 in one mind. The struggle of ideals is much less keen 



